Who is Jamie Smith? England's Wicketkeeper-batter debutant in the 1st Test vs West Indies

The first Test match at Lord’s is a sad moment for many cricket fans around the world. It is the final time that James Anderson will lace up his boots as a cricketer. While one era is set to end the debut of young Jamie Smith is set to mark the start of another era. 

The young wicket-keeper batter is a highly promising talent who is known to be one of the future stars of England. Jamie Smith will turn 24 during the third day’s play of the first Test at Lord’s. The youngster has got a great gift just two days before he turns a year older. Not every player gets to debut at the home of cricket and become a Test player. 

Jamie Smith comes into the side on the back of some mixed performances by Ben Foakes. Curiously enough both Jamie Smith and Ben Foakes play for the same Surrey side in the English county side. 

Jamie Smith: A talent to watch out for 

Young Jamie Smith had impressed everyone in the age group levels to be given a call-up to the Surrey side. Jamie Smith made his first-class during a tour game in Dubai versus the MCC Side even before he had turned 19. 

In his very first match, the youngster showed no signs of nerves as he scored 127 runs from 192 balls. In the same game, Ollie Pope who was already a test player had scored 251 as the pair added 266 runs for the 4th wicket. 

Till date, Jamie Smith has played 59 First class matches and scored 3434 runs with a best of 234 not out. Smith has also hit 10 centuries and 14 fifties with an average of 41 and has pouched 68 catches and 4 stumpings. 

His form leading up to the selection for the Test series has been promising. 256 runs from his 3 matches have seen Jamie Smith become the favourite to don the gloves. His 100 versus Essex came off 133 balls and he followed it up with a 91-ball 70 as his side won the contest by 145 runs. This turned the England selectors to train their gaze on the youngster who was eventually given his call-up to the Test side. 

In his debut game, Jamie Smith has shown no signs of nerves as he has been good behind the stumps. He took a good catch to dismiss Joshua Da Silva and kept well in conditions that are favourable to the seam and swinging conditions. As he turns a year older on Friday, Jamie Smith will hope that he can continue to impress the selectors and nail down his place in the England side for a long time.