Brendon McCullum is sort of what I look to be as a cricketer: Jamie Smith

Jamie Smith. (Source – ECB)

Jamie Smith has made quite a buzz with his performances for England in Test cricket. He was picked ahead of Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes in the English summer, in which, the Three Lions hosted West Indies and Sri Lanka. In six Tests that Smith played, he made 487 runs at an average of 48.70 and also hit a century and three half-centuries.

With that, Smith has sealed his spot in the Test team for the long run. The Ben Stokes-led side was looking to go beyond Bairstow and Foakes ahead of the Ashes 2025 and as things stand, Smith is the answer for them. Speaking about his experience so far with the national team, the 24-year-old thanked head coach Brendon McCullum and stated that he wants to be a cricketer like the former New Zealand international.

Also Read – Brendon McCullum will help me so much as a captain: Jos Buttler

“He’s sort of what I look to be as a cricketer, I guess: that nice attacking wicketkeeper-batsman. It gives you confidence to have someone there that’s had that sort of experience. You don’t tend to get too many wicketkeepers that are coaches and have an important role in the side, to help you along the way, so it’s great to have him,” Smith said during a press conference ahead of the series against Australia. 

To keep in the Test series was a fantastic vote of confidence: Smith

Despite being a first-choice keeper for England in Test cricket, Smith hasn’t kept wickets for Surrey in the County Championship. Ben Foakes has been the keeper for the team and reflecting upon that, Smith talked about his role and understands the reason behind him not keeping for the county club.

“But that’s about your role in the side. When you’ve got Ben Foakes in your team, you’re not going to be the wicketkeeper. I was happy just to bat because it’s something I love doing, so it’s a new tag for me but an exciting one. To keep in the Test series was a fantastic vote of confidence,” Smith said.