England‘s cricket scene has witnessed the emergence of a new sensation in the form of wicketkeeper batter Jamie Smith. The 24-year-old has quickly become a fan favourite, drawing comparisons to the legendary Australian for his aggressive batting style and ability to turn a game on its head.
Jamie Smith’s counter-attacking masterclass
Smith’s recent performance against Sri Lanka showcased his exceptional talent. Despite England being in a precarious position at 82/7, he counter-attacked with a brilliant half-century, scoring 67 runs from just 50 deliveries. His innings included ten fours and a six, helping England gain a respectable lead in the second innings.
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Jamie Smith: A star in the making
Since making his Test debut earlier this year, Smith has consistently impressed with his batting. He has scored 487 runs from six matches, including one century and three fifties. His ability to score quickly and put pressure on the opposition has made him a valuable asset to the England team.
Paul Collingwood praises Smith with a comparison
England’s assistant coach, Paul Collingwood, has been effusive in his praise for Smith. He has likened the young batter to Adam Gilchrist, one of the greatest wicketkeeper batter of all time. Collingwood highlighted Smith’s ability to entertain the crowd and put opposing teams under pressure with his aggressive batting.
“He is certainly an entertainer. You go back to the days of Adam Gilchrist when he came in at seven for Australia. He is going to put a lot of teams under pressure when you have the skills and the power he has,” Collingwood was quoted as saying by ICC.
A crowd favourite
Collingwood further emphasized Smith’s impact on the game, stating that his batting can “suck the life out of the opposition.” His ability to play fearless cricket and score quickly has made him a crowd favourite, and his performances have been a highlight of the England team’s recent matches.
Sri Lanka’s strong comeback on Day 3
While Smith’s innings gave England a fighting chance, Sri Lanka’s bowlers fought back strongly on Day 3, bowling England out for 156. Lahiru Kumara‘s impressive spell of 4/21 put Sri Lanka in a strong position to chase down a target of 219 runs in the fourth innings.
England’s hopes for a whitewash
Despite Sri Lanka’s dominant position, Collingwood remains optimistic about England’s chances of winning the match. He believes that the pitch still offers enough for England to take wickets and claw their way back into the game. A victory would help England complete a 3-0 whitewash over Sri Lanka and solidify their position in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25.
Also READ: ENG vs SL: Bowlers, Pathum Nissanka put Sri Lanka in driving seat at The Oval
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