Jamie Smith has vowed to use the upcoming ODI series against Australia chance to get his eye in ahead of next year’s Ashes series, after signing off on a sensational breakthrough Test summer.
Smith was a surprise pick when called up to make his debut as England’s new wicketkeeper at the start of the summer, with both Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow axed as part of a major shakeup of the Test side.
However, the 24-year-old looked instantly at home, enjoying superb series against West Indies and Sri Lanka, and finishing the six-Test run with 487 runs at an average of 48.70.
Only Joe Root ranked higher among England batters by either metric and while there are challenging series against Pakistan, New Zealand and India to come over the next year, Smith is now the firm favourite to carry the gloves through to the 2025/26 Ashes in Australia.
The Aussies are in England for a white-ball tour that starts with the First T20 in Southampton on Wednesday night, and while Smith and the rest of England’s Test players have been rested in the shortest format, he will be part of the squad for the five-match ODI series that follows.
“I'm just seeing it as a chance to face the Australians who, potentially 18 months down the line, you're going to be facing again in the Ashes,” the Surrey star said. “So, it’s a learning experience there.
“I'm unexposed at international level so every team you come up against, it seems to be against new people. They're learning about you, but you're also learning about them.
“So, if I can get a good sight of them now, a few of their bowlers, in 18 months, every little helps going into that. Every little experience you can get on on them, will help me move forward as well.”
England head to Pakistan for a three-match Test tour next month, with Smith set to be named in a squad that will be announced later this week.
It remains to be seen, however, whether he plays all three Tests in New Zealand before Christmas, with his partner, Kate, due to give birth to their first child in December.
“Absolutely not,” Smith said, when asked whether he had made a decision on potentially missing part or all of that series. “I’ve got to get in the side first and retain my place which is the first thing.
"I’m enjoying that added distraction as well. Cricket is one thing but life outside that is also extremely important so it’s very exciting.”
Smith admitted to feeling “mentally drained” following his debut Test series against West Indies earlier this summer, but his form did not suffer against Sri Lanka as he made a first Test hundred at Old Trafford, as well as an entertaining half-century in the Third Test defeat at the Oval.
The rookie’s schedule, however, has been relentless this summer. He began playing County Championship cricket for Surrey in April, at that stage unaware of the major role he would play in the Test side, and also turned out for Birmingham Phoenix during the Hundred.
While he has been spared T20 duty against Australia, Smith will still be in action for Surrey, who are through to Vitality Blast Finals Day at Edgbaston this weekend.
“It's been a lot,” he added. “Hopefully, moving forward, if things align and you can get central contact, you might ease that schedule a little bit that you're coming in a little bit fresher, but I thoroughly enjoyed it.
“It's been a long season, But I've got Finals Day first and then the ODIs, so still a lot of cricket to be played between now and the end of Pakistan. It'll be challenging, but it’s exciting to get an opportunity in the white-ball stuff as well.”
