Former England batter Robin Smith has died unexpectedly aged 62.

The England and Wales Cricket Board released a statement on behalf of Smith’s family saying that he passed away at his Perth home on Monday. The cause of death remains unknown.

Smith scored 4236 runs at 43.67 across his 62 Tests between 1988-96, with nine tons and 28 half-centuries to his name, including his top score of 175 against West Indies in Antigua.

The much-loved cricket figure — who was at the first Ashes Test in Perth last week and even met with the England Lions — battled alcohol and mental health issues since retiring in 2004, but his family stressed that “should not form the basis of speculation about the cause of death”.

“It is with the deepest and most profound sense of sadness and loss that we must announce the passing of Robin Arnold Smith, beloved father of Harrison and Margaux and cherished brother of Christopher,” the family statement reads.

“Robin, known widely as ‘The Judge’, was originally born in South Africa in 1963 to parents John and Joy and is the younger brother to Christopher (Kippy) Smith.

“Robin rose to fame as one of England’s most charismatic and popular players. A brave and dashing batsman, he excelled both for Hampshire and his adopted country collecting legions of admirers and friends along the way.

“This is an immensely difficult period for us all whilst we try to come to terms with our bereavement, and we would therefore much appreciate consideration for our privacy by media and cricket followers alike.”

When he retired, Smith was described by Hampshire chair Rod Bransgrove as “the most influential player in the history of Hampshire cricket”.

ECB chair Richard Thompson paid tribute to Smith in a statement of his own.

“Robin Smith was a player who stood toe to toe with some of the quickest bowlers in the world, meeting spells of hostile fast bowling with a defiant smile and an incredible resilience,” he said.

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

“He was a batter ahead of his time which was typified in that unforgettable unbeaten 167 from 163 balls in an ODI against Australia at Edgbaston in 1993.

“His record at Hampshire is exemplary, and he’ll be remembered rightly as a great of Hampshire CCC. We’re desperately sad to learn of his passing, and the thoughts of all of us in cricket are with his friends, family and loved ones.”

Former Aussie batter and coach Darren Lehmann simply wrote two broken hearts in a social media post referencing Smith’s passing.