Jamie Smith: England’s ‘Rolls-Royce’ wants to keep clearing roofs after Edgbaston six
Smith had already shown glimpses of his talent for England with 70 on his Test debut at Lord’s, although those runs came in slightly less taxing circumstances.
England were already in a strong position so he was given a bit more freedom to play without the fear of consequences as he neatly moved through the gears.
When he arrived at the crease at Edgbaston and looked at the scoreboard England were 231-7 with West Indies still 51 runs ahead.
So an innings of real substance here represented a breakthrough knock, even if Smith acknowledged he would probably “be a little bit gutted” to miss out by a maiden Test hundred by only five runs when he reflects on it later.
Former England spinner Phil Tufnell was full of admiration for the manner in which Smith approached the match situation.
“That knock from Jamie Smith was like a Rolls-Royce innings, it was smooth,” Tufnell said on BBC Test Match Special.
“He got himself in, unlike some of the others who have a dart, he just weighed up the situation beautifully and perfectly. He just cruised about, it was beautiful.”
Ex-West Indies all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite said Test cricket “seems to be easy” for Smith, who has also caught the eye with his performances behind the stumps.
“He’s been flawless with the gloves and he’s just smashed it to all parts,” Brathwaite said.
“It was really good to see him counteract the short-ball barrage and play through the line so fluently.
“It was a domineering type of innings and it took something really special to get him out. It was a really vital and important knock. There is a lot more there. He is a big talent for England.”
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