The Judge: More Than Just a Game

by Robin Smith, Rob Smyth, Shane Warne (Foreword)

Robin Smith was one of England’s most popular cricketers of the 1990s. The Judge, as he was known to all, took on some of the most dangerous fast bowlers of all time with a skill and fearlessness that ensured hero status. His savage square cut drew roars of approval from fans all around the world, especially those of his beloved England and Hampshire. But when he was prematurely dumped from the England set-up at the age of 32, he had to face his toughest opponent of all – himself. Smith suffered a debilitating loss of identity, especially when he retired from professional cricket in 2003, and struggled to deal with the contradictions in his personality. Was he the Judge, the fearless warrior, or Robin Smith, the frantic worrier?

Without a support structure to transition from cricket to the outside world, Smith suffered from mental health, alcohol, marital and financial problems until he hit rock bottom and planned to take his own life. In The Judge, he revisits his experience of extreme darkness and challenges received wisdom about masculinity and mental health. He also shares the many highs and lows of his eventful international and county career, including his exhilarating battles with the West Indies and his struggles against mystery spin. And he reflects fondly on a time when cricketers worked hard and partied even harder; a time almost unrecognisable to the modern day.

Genres: Biography, Sports, Autobiography

336 pages, Paperback

First published June 13, 2019

Reviews

[Stephen · Rating 4 out of 5]

For all those of a certain vintage, Robin Smith was the teak-tough Bok who liked facing dangerously-quick bowling. Batted hard, played hard. This book strips bare a gentle, sensitive soul that seems totally at odds with what is required of a top-class international sportsman. Details of those great innings leading to a mid 40s Test average in a pretty poor team rub along with alcoholism & loneliness when the dressing room is no longer there. He comes over as a good soul who knows his own weaknesses & recognises those who support him in whatever way. When you close this book, you’re pleased he’s making it.

[Gordon Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book intriguing and disturbing. Clearly I knew mostly the Judge alter ego, although I did recognize the compassion and humility of Robin. Sad to hear about the demons, but thrilled to hear they have been spayed. I wish Robin and his family all the best for a wonderful second half of his life.

[Chanaka · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best cricket memoirs I've read. He was a cricketer of mystique. To average mid 40s in the 1990s England cricket team you have to be special. Like Achilles, he had a weakness against spin which he talks about- he had a few great days against spin when his confidence was up. He was one of the first players to benefit from a bowling machine, cranking it up from dawn with his dad in his school days. That's why he's got an amazing cut shot, most deadly in the game. Most players then were extremely badly managed. England dropped him in his prime, it's not clear why. He had a lot of bedroom action too. Probably the most sex in a cricket memoirs you'll ever read. As I've said before, he was born into extreme privilege in apartheid South Africa, but is a sensitive guy with black friends. He doesn't say it but I got the impression he felt some guilt. Chris Lewis mentions in his book (Rob Smith doesn't), that Smith was one of his only team-mates, with his then-wife, to offer him support in prison- a big heart on the pitch and off (NB Atherton, Fraser and others dissed Lewis in the papers when he got sentenced).

[Stephen Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.5 stars rounded up to 5)

This is a relatively good read though by no means flawless.

The best parts of this book are moving, raw, an emotional rollercoaster and you can feel the pain and rebuilding of the author himself. The worst parts are by no means terrible but vanilla, bland, there are too many often failed attempts at humour and the language felt formulaic.

There were some good parts of the book when talking about cricket, particularly the mental side of the game, the personalities involved, the challenges of facing fast and spin bowling, alongside the unsatisfactory way his time ended at Hampshire and England. However too much of the parts focused on cricket are formulaic, repetitive and too many attempts at matiness and banter.

The best and most profound parts of the book were the raw and unflinching ways he talks about anxiety, depression and alcoholism, how it destroyed him and how he rebuilt himself. Sadly in 2024 he had a relapse and tried to kill himself, so maybe it was a false dawn. It particularly moved me as someone who suffered from depression and is what elevated it above a run of the mill, average cricket autobiography.

[Mark Smith-briggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Robin Smith's story is a compelling one about challenge, triumph and redemption.
Much more than just another cricket book, the South African born English cricketer bares his soul in a heart breaking story of greatness and addiction.
Smith opens his story on a broken middle aged man, sneaking vodka from a bottle by a Perth pool after being kicked out of his parent's apartment for being a drunk.
It's a stark image for someone who was once the world's number 2 batsman but one that sets the tone for the honest and raw memoir that is to come.
There are plenty of cricket memories, and much to celebrate but it's the deeper dive into the psychology of what drove Smith and ultimately broke him that's the most powerful component here.
A fantastic book that lifts the veil on one our sporting greats.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting biography of one of the England greats. It's also an interesting insight into the culture in cricket of the time and Robin is caught between times changing from the drinking culture perhaps.
I was shocked that even in the 90s he wasn't allowed to attend the birth of his son, yet another player could be in pantomime!
I did feel that the blurb etc focused on his downfall and reinvention whereas this only happens about 80% in and perhaps for family privacy reasons is quite brief. I hope this can lead to more support mental health wise in particular for those successful at a young age who seem more vulnerable to it.

Thank you to Netgalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Greville Waterman · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is easy to forget that the sportsman you watch from afar making the game seem so easy is in reality just a bloke who suffers from the same insecurities as frailties as the next person. Robin Smith is no exception. This is a tale if a young man emerging from a privileged and sheltered upbringing ginghams in apartheid South Africa developing into a world class batsman and appearing so confident at the crease but in reality he was a man riddled with issues and problems.

The book is open and honest to an extreme and sometimes Smith does not come over well but I am sure that it was a cathartic experience too and one that is always fascinating for the reader.

[Shankar Rajesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the finest sports autobiographies I have read. I am a fan of Robin Smith and reading this just made me aware of the challenges elite sportsmen face ... we seem them in the limelight, in their moments of glory and failure on the field, but aren't fully appreciative of what they go through in life to play at elite levels and how they lead life after their playing days. Hats off to the man who danced toe to toe with some of the finest fast bowlers of his day and was the face of "Grit".

[Darren Spice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Been waiting for an autobiography from RA Smith for years and finally its arrived and does not disappoint. Very eye opening look at my cricketing idol who could provide inspiration for many. I just wish he was given more of a chance by the ECB!

[MR C B PRITCHARD · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Read

I always admired Robin Smith playing cricket, but reading this honest account of his life, my admiration has increased. What an inspiring read, and lovely to hear he is finding peace and happiness. Well done Robin and Thank You

[Clive Grewcock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another book about a contradictory character. It is often said that a batsman cannot deny his personality at the crease, but Robin Smith was always seen as an exception; arrogant on a cricket pitch but diffident away from the field of play. Smith’s view is that he was discarded by both England and Hampshire prematurely and that this led to him spiralling into a drink fuelled lost period. Em, that’s one view and yes I’d agree England dispensed with him too early but he was 39 when he played his last game for Hampshire. From reading this book it is fairly clear his drinking was already out of control and the serial infidelities rather contradict the nicest bloke in the world accolades in the two forwards (one by Shane Warne and one by Mark Nicholas). It is a tough read, especially for those of us that saw Smith play, but I found myself less sympathetic than I expected, it certainly didn’t have the effect Marcus Trescothick's autobiography had on me. However, it is good to read that he is a long way down the road to recovery.

[Hassan]

mmvmdmc

[Dan Humphries · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

Good story, good honest account of a professional sports person. Lots of honest accounts of her career. Good read, worth giving it a shot

[Robert Margel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is so rare to read a decent autobiography or a sports person, but this is one of those rare occasions. Highly recommended for any cricket lover as well

[Lee Tait · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book , not just another run of the mill autobiography but a lot more.

[Nigel Hyde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really honest book about Cricket and the life of a person who struggled hit rock bottom but has come out the other side. He was also a great player.

[SHANKAR KRISHNAN · Rating 5 out of 5]

Genuine guy. Amazing player. Wrong era.

[Martyn Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

When cricketers were cricketers!!

A very well written books that reminded me of a time when cricket was played by players who did not take themselves too seriously and could relate to the person on the street. On a side note i also grew up about 5 miles from the rose bowl and enjoyed reading about places that I know (mostly pubs!!) as well as a mention of somebody I went to school with..

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really appreciated how little the ghost writer seems to have done to this fascinating story! You can hear Smith telling it.