'Ahead of time' Smith dies at 62

CRICKET Robin Smith was a “batter ahead of his time”, according to England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Richard Thompson following the former England international's death at the age of 62.

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Smith, who played 62 Tests between 1988 and 1996, died on Monday in Australia, where he lived, his family said in a statement.

He had only recently met with the England Lions squad in Perth ahead of the first Ashes Test at the invitation of coach Andrew Flintoff.

Thompson said:

"Robin Smith was a player who stood toe to toe with some of the quickest bowlers around, meeting spells of hostile fast bowling with a defiant smile and a ferocious shot.