Stuart Broad hails Jamie Smith

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Stuart Broad, a former fast bowler for England, complimented Jamie Smith on his vital runs with the tailenders, drawing comparisons between him and Jonny Bairstow and skipper Ben Stokes. On Day 2 of the first Test at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester, Smith made history by scoring his third half century in just his fourth Test match against Sri Lanka.

Smith entered the batting order with England at 125/4, 111 runs behind Sri Lanka. Along batsman Harry Brook, the 24-year-old struck 62 runs for the fifth wicket. Day 2 ended with him still undefeated at 72, giving England a 23-run advantage with four wickets remaining.

Broad praised the young wicketkeeper batter for his effort and stated that he was chosen for the squad to add runs with the tail in precisely the same predicament as they are in at the moment.

He has performed admirably. In the end, Stuart Broad told Sky Sports, “this exact situation England are in now is why he was selected. So, when he is batting at number seven, with Ben Stokes here and with the tail, they feel they can still find the boundary and add a good amount of runs when the lower order are in.

Smith Shines on Day 3

Speaking ahead of time, Broad supported Smith in adding significant runs with the tail on Day 3 to increase England’s advantage.

Jamie Smith can push twos when he has to, take the strike, farm the strike, and blast sixes when he can if he sticks around on Friday morning and bats with the No. 10 and 11. He only has to be put under pressure in that situation, and he has all the capacity to succeed; he could find the chance to do so,” he said.

Smith has adapted to Test cricket like a fish to water after making his debut against the West Indies at Lord’s recently. With three fifties, a strike rate of 72.27, and an average of 69.75 from five innings, the right-handed batter has scored 279 runs. In his debut match against the West Indies, he scored 70 (119), giving his career a fantastic start.