Robin Smith, former England cricketer, dies aged 62

"Smith played 62 Tests and 71 one-day internationals for England between 1988 and 1996 and was a resolute middle-order bulwark for the side during often difficult times for the team. He particularly excelled against pace, making his highest Test score of 175 against the fearsome West Indies attack at Antigua in 1994. He made 4,236 Test runs overall at an average of 43.67, including nine centuries."

"The Durban-born Smith also captained Hampshire from 1998 to 2002, having helped them win the Benson & Hedges Cup in 1988 and 1992, and the NatWest Trophy in 1991. In the past week, Smith had revealed in interviews that he had struggled with alcoholism and depression in the years since retirement. His former Hampshire teammate Kevan James tearfully announced Smith had died on Solent News on Tuesday morning."

"It's been horrible, he said. It's a sad day, but when you look at someone's career At the time, in the 80s and 90s, he was England's best batter. He was a super player, particularly of fast bowling in an era where the West Indies had all these fast bowlers. He was one of the few England batters who stood up to them and basically gave as good as he got."

Robin Smith has died aged 62. He played 62 Tests and 71 one-day internationals for England between 1988 and 1996 and served as a resolute middle-order batsman during difficult periods for the team. He excelled against fast bowling, recording his highest Test score of 175 against the West Indies at Antigua in 1994. He scored 4,236 Test runs at an average of 43.67, including nine centuries. Born in Durban, he captained Hampshire from 1998 to 2002 and helped them win the Benson & Hedges Cup in 1988 and 1992 and the NatWest Trophy in 1991. He had revealed struggles with alcoholism and depression since retirement. Former teammate Kevan James announced the death.

Read at www.theguardian.com