Former England batter Robin Smith dies aged 62

London: Former England Test player Robin Smith has died aged 62, hailed by cricket chiefs as a batter ahead of his time . The South Africa born Sm...

London: Former England Test player Robin Smith has died aged 62, hailed by cricket chiefs as a "batter ahead of his time".

The South Africa-born Smith, who played 62 Tests between 1988 and 1996, died on Monday in Australia, where he lived.

Smith's family announced their "profound sense of sadness and loss" in a statement released by Hampshire, his former English county club.

"Robin died unexpectedly at his South Perth apartment on Monday, 1st December. The cause of his death is at present unknown," they said.

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