Hampshire To Honour Robin Smith At 2026 Season Opener

Hampshire Cricket will honour club legend Robin Smith at the opening day of the 2026 Rothesay County Championship season against Essex at Utilita Bowl on Friday 3 April.

Players, supporters, and staff will come together to remember one of the Club’s greatest-ever figures, following Smith’s passing in December at the age of 62.

Affectionately known as ‘The Judge’, Smith embodied the spirit of Hampshire Cricket – a fearless batter, a natural competitor, and a character whose warmth and charisma made him beloved by teammates and supporters alike.

Matchday Tribute Plans

A series of tributes will take place throughout the opening day to celebrate Smith’s life and legacy:

• Players will wear black armbands
• All attendees, including both teams, will be invited to partake in a minute’s silence before the fixture begins
• At lunch, supporters will be invited onto the pitch to watch a special tribute video on the big screens
• A book of condolences will be available for fans to share their memories and messages
• A memorabilia display celebrating Smith’s career will be on show in the Atrium

Supporters are encouraged to be in their seats ahead of the start of play to take part in the pre-match tribute.

Hampshire Cricket will also host a memorial for Robin Smith in June, providing a further opportunity for the cricketing community to come together and celebrate his life. More details will be shared in due course.

A True Hampshire Great

Smith’s association with Hampshire spanned more than two decades, representing the Club between 1982 and 2003 and captaining the side from 1998 to 2002.

During that time, he established himself as one of the finest players to wear the Hampshire shirt, scoring heavily across formats and becoming the only player to surpass 10,000 limited-overs runs for the Club.

On the international stage, Smith was one of England’s most admired cricketers of the 1990s, earning 62 Test caps and scoring over 4,000 runs with nine centuries.

Renowned for his courage against the world’s fastest bowlers and his trademark square cut, he built a reputation as one of the most fearless batters of his generation.

But beyond the runs and records, Smith will be remembered most for the way he connected with people – lifting those around him and leaving a lasting impression on everyone who had the privilege to know him.

Smith’s legacy is woven into the fabric of Hampshire Cricket – from his achievements on the field to the impact he had off it.

As Group Chairman Rod Bransgrove said at the time of his passing, Smith was “one of the greatest, if not the greatest, of all-time Hampshire cricket heroes” and someone who truly embodied the Club.

On 3 April, the Hampshire Cricket community will come together to celebrate that legacy and remember a player who gave his heart and soul to the Club.

Join Us To Remember Robin

Be there as we honour a true Hampshire hero.