‘Certainly A challenge’ – England cricketer relishing upcoming battle with Jasprit Bumrah

English cricketer Jamie Smith has expressed his readiness for a potential battle with Indian pace ace Jasprit Bumrah. The 24-year-old who made his debut in 2024 has emerged as a frontline wicketkeeper and batter for the English side. Smith has been in decent nick with the bat, scoring 101 runs from three games in the ODI series against West Indies. 

Speaking to the media, Smith said, “There's an opportunity there to go and play, and experience opening when the ball is still swinging and nipping around against quality bowlers, It's definitely great practice for the India series. It feels like we're close to it now, we're almost there. It's been great playing these three games and obviously the Zimbabwe Test leading up to it."

The 24-year-old also said that he was keen to face up to the challenge posed by Bumrah in the upcoming series. Smith said, “Hopefully, down at No. 7, I can watch other lads go and face him first. He is certainly a challenge there." So far, Smith has played 10 Tests, scoring 641 runs with one ton and four fifties with an average of 42. 

England set for massive challenge in coming months

After facing India at home, England are set to tour Australia for the Ashes series. Smith is set to undertake his tour of Australia and play in his maiden Ashes series. Speaking to the media, the 24-year-old said, “We're playing the two best nations. It's always going to be talked about, and the key for us and the group that we have at the moment is we're focusing on one game at a time.

English wicketkeeper batter went on to add, “Everyone knows the magnitude of what you've got coming up, but if we can try and stay in the present, then it's a good time to test ourselves against the best. We feel in a really good place, and I think everyone's really excited and in a great place to go and attack them." The first Test match between England and India will be played at the iconic Headingley ground in Leeds, starting on 20th June.