Jamie Smith relishes opening ahead of the India tests as he called the stint up top in the ODIs as ‘good practice’
Jamie Smith says Opening against WI was ‘great practice’ for India Tests.
Opening the batting in England’s ODI series against the West Indies, according to Jamie Smith, has given him “great practice” against the quicks of the Test match in India. Smith claimed that playing against “quality” new-ball bowlers has improved his overall game after smashing a 25-ball half-century, his first in ODIs, in England’s seven-wicket victory at The Oval on Tuesday.
During the three-match series, Smith scored 37, 0, and 64 runs at a rate of 180.35, helping England defeat the West Indies 3-0. After making his international debut in Test cricket last summer as Jonny Bairstow’s replacement, he has been a constant presence in their ODI selections since last September.
Smith will take a brief rest before the first Test begins on June 20. Phil Salt, who returned from the IPL to replace Smith, is not in England’s team for the T20I series that begins on Friday.
“There’s an opportunity there to go and play, and experience opening when the ball is still swinging and nipping around against quality bowlers,” Smith said. “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.”
“I feel good,” he said. “Hopefully, the next 10 days or so can go well, prep-wise, and we can head into [the] India [series] quite fresh, which is amazing.”
He has never previously faced Jasprit Bumrah, India’s spearhead, in any format, but said he will not be spending much time watching footage of his bowling in the build-up to the series. “Hopefully, down at No. 7, I can watch other lads go and face him first,” Smith said. “[He is] certainly a challenge there.”
Nor will Smith, who became a father in December, be watching the World Test Championship final next week. “I’ll have enough to do at home to keep me busy and entertained,” he said. “I’ll be trying to stay away and hopefully get myself mentally and physically in a good place for once the Test series starts, so come the last Test, I’m still feeling fresh and ready.”