'Smith was batter ahead of his time'

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.

- By JONATHAN VEAL

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.

"He did so in a way that gave England fans enormous pride, and no shortage of entertainment.