Throughout a 21-year cricket career that included over 130 test and ODI caps for England between 1988-1996, Smith was renowned as a swashbuckling middle order batsman with a square cut that drew gasps of delight from connoisseurs of the game. 'Judgie? faced some of the fastest pace bowling ever witnessed with a fearlessness that ensured cult-hero status.Smith was unexpectedly dumped from the England setup in 1996 and played on for Hampshire until 2003. But soon followed mental health, alcohol, marital and financial problems. With no notable support structure in place to help transition professional cricketers into 'civilian? life, Smith hit rock bottom and almost killed himself. In The Judge- More than Just a Game, Smith revisits his experience of extreme darkness and challenges an establishment sluggish in its psychological support of the players. He also shares the highs of his eventful international and county career when players were allowed to play and party freely; a time almost unrecognisable to the modern day.
