England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith aims to emulate Brendon McCullum’s playing style after the New Zealander gave him his chance in both Test and one-day international (ODI) cricket this season. It was McCullum, the head coach of England’s red-ball side, who took the bold decision to install Jamie Smith as the Test team’s wicketkeeper at the start of the home summer, with the 24-year-old leapfrogging the far more experienced duo of Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow into the role.
Jamie Smith’s fine form in his first six Tests has already seen him compared to celebrated Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Adam Gilchrist. And now he has been given the chance to impress in a limited-overs format, where the retired Australia great was a star performer with both bat and gloves, by being selected for this month’s five-match ODI series at home to England’s arch-rivals.
Jamie Smith’s international career in cricket
England’s wicketkeeper batter Jamie Smith is relishing the opportunity to play against rivals Australia for the first time after having a successful maiden Test summer. Jamie Smith has only played two ODI’s for England and made his debut against Ireland in September 2023. After starring with the bat and gloves during the Test series’ against the West Indies and Sri Lanka, the 24-year-old has been brought back into the white-ball set up.
England and Australia face each other in a five-match ODI series which starts on Thursday at Trent Bridge. The T20 leg preceding the one-day series was forced into a draw after the third and final game in Manchester was abandoned due to rain without a ball being bowled. Lancashire right-armer Saqib Mahmood has also been added to the 50-over squad. The 27-year-old combined with Jofra Archer to take a team hat-trick during England’s 28-run defeat to Australia in the first T20 in Southampton.
England’s captain Jos Buttler, who didn’t feature in the T20 series, has also been ruled out of the ODI’s due to a calf injury with Harry Brook in line to deputize. It will be the first time Brook leads England having previously captained Northern Superchargers during The Hundred this year.
Jamie Smith amassed 207 runs during the West Indies Test series in July where he made his debut, finishing third-highest run-scorer behind Joe Root’s 297 and Ollie Pope’s 239. During the Sri Lanka series last month, Jamie Smith totaled 280 runs, including his maiden Test century. The Surrey player has credited the ultra-positive environment cultivated under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes’ leadership for his achievements.
Jamie Smith reveals chat with Brendon McCullum after ENG vs SL 3rd Test ahead of Australia ODIs
England wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith has stated that Brendon McCullum told him that he will have the keeping duties during the five-match ODI series against Australia after the final Test against Sri Lanka. The youngster’s statement came ahead of the first ODI against Australia, beginning on Thursday, September 19, in Nottingham.
Jamie Smith showed considerable promise with the bat and gloves over the six Tests against the West Indies and Sri Lanka this summer. The 24-year-old has accumulated 487 runs in six Tests alongside a best of 111, averaging 48.70. Jos Buttler’s absence from the squad is likely another reason that the right-hander will keep wickets.
Speaking to reporters, the Surrey cricketer said, as quoted by The Daily Mail:
“I found out just after the Test finished at the Oval, it’s a pretty quick turn around so Baz (Brendon McCullum) told me I was going to be keeping.”
The youngster, along with Harry Brook, was rested for the preceding three-game T20I series against Australia. Jamie Smith has promising List A numbers as he averages 39.45, having featured in 17 matches and scored 434 runs.
Jamie Smith expresses himself on playing vs Australia
The youngster also stated that he is excited about facing Australia, given the high-profile matches the rivalry produces. The 24-year-old suggested that he is keen to play more 50-overs cricket, given he has not played the format much. Speaking to Sky Sports, he said:
“It’s extremely exciting whenever you play Australia. It will be my first time so it’s very exciting. That sort of rivalry brings out the best cricket. It’s really exciting to be a part of the ODI stuff. I’ve not really played too much in this format but to get some more international experience is really important. It’s always the rivalry that’s talked about so it will be exciting to play these games against them and let’s see where we get to.”
Australia had beaten England the last time these two played a bilateral ODI series on English soil. Jamie Smith will keep wicket against Ashes rivals Australia this month in a sign that England view him as a long-term bet across all three international formats.