England cricket legend Robin Smith dies in Australia days after opening up on health battle

England cricket great Robert Smith has passed away, aged 62.

Smith, who played 62 Tests for England, died in Australia.

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The news of Smith’s tragic passing was revealed by his former Hampshire teammate Kevan James on BBC Radio Solent.

James breaks heartbreaking news of Smith’s passing

“It’s been horrible,” James said.

“It was happening as I was reading out some sports news.

“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 averaged 43 in Test matches and he averaged over 40 when he was dropped after the mid-nineties Test series in South Africa…

“… which is quite incredible now, isn’t it, to think a batter would be dropped averaging that many.

“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.”

News of Smith’s tragic passing comes just days after he bravely opened up about his health battles in an interview with The Times.

More to follow…