Test Match Special Remembering 'The Judge', Robin Smith
Dec 13, 2025
Mark Nicholas, a former cricketer and seasoned broadcaster, fondly remembers his late teammate Robin Smith, known as 'The Judge'. The discussion reveals Smith's powerful batting style and his struggles with identity and loneliness off the field. Using archival footage, listeners hear Smith’s reflections on his career, revealing the stark contrast between his confident on-field persona and quieter private life. Nicholas shares poignant stories of Smith’s challenges, including battles with alcoholism and searching for support after retirement.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Remarkable Public Persona, Hidden Fragility
- Robin Smith performed as a confident, swashbuckling 'Judge' on the field while feeling inwardly shy and reserved.
- That public persona masked a fractured identity that later affected his mental health.
Power Hitting Defined His Cricket
- Mark Nicholas recalls Robin's enormous hitting power and signature shots like savage square cuts and hill-clearing pulls.
- Those innings under pressure made him a beloved match-winner for Hampshire and England.
Identity Loss After Retirement
- Mark Nicholas says cricket provided identity and belonging that many athletes miss after retirement.
- Losing that 'circus' and the adulation left Robin feeling diminished and vulnerable.