SaqJamie Smith has vowed to use the upcoming ODI series against Australia to get a feel for next year’s Ashes series after a sensational Test summer.
Smith was a surprise choice when he was called up to make his debut as England’s new wicketkeeper earlier this summer, with Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow sidelined as part of a major reshuffle of the Test squad.
However, the 24-year-old immediately felt comfortable, enjoying a superb series against the West Indies and Sri Lanka, and finishing the six-Test series with 487 runs at an average of 48.70.
Only Joe Root is ranked higher among England batsmen by either measure and while there are tough series against Pakistan, New Zealand and India to come over the next year, Smith is now the overwhelming favourite to wear the gloves until the 2025/26 Ashes in Australia.
The Australians are in England for a white-ball tour which begins with the first T20 in Southampton on Wednesday night, and although Smith and the rest of England’s Test players have been rested in the shortest format, he will be part of the squad for the five-match ODI series that follows.
“I see it as an opportunity to play the Australians who you might play again in 18 months’ time in the Ashes,” the Surrey star said. “So it’s a rewarding experience.”
“I’m not at international level yet, so every time I face a team, I face new people. They get to know you, but you also get to know them.
“So if I can get a good look at them now, at some of their bowlers, in 18 months’ time, every little bit will help me get there. Every little bit of experience you can get with them will help me move forward as well.”
England will travel to Pakistan for a three-match Test tour next month, with Smith expected to be named in a squad to be announced later this week.
It remains to be seen, however, whether he will play the three Tests in New Zealand before Christmas, with his partner, Kate, due to give birth to their first child in December.
“Absolutely not,” Smith said when asked if he had made the decision to potentially miss part or all of this series. “I have to get in the team first and keep my spot, which is the first thing.
“I also enjoy the added distraction. Cricket is one thing, but life outside of it is also incredibly important, so it’s very exciting.”
Smith admitted to feeling “mentally drained” after his first Test series against the West Indies earlier this summer, but his form did not suffer against Sri Lanka as he made a maiden Test century at Old Trafford, as well as an entertaining half-century in the third Test defeat at the Oval.
The rookie’s schedule has been relentless this summer, however. He began playing County Championship cricket for Surrey in April, unsure at that stage what a major role he would play in the Test team, and also played for Birmingham Phoenix during the Hundred.
Despite being spared T20 duties against Australia, Smith will still be in action for Surrey, who are through to the Vitality Blast final at Edgbaston this weekend.
“It’s been very busy,” he added. “Hopefully in the future, if things line up and you can get a central contact, you can lighten that schedule a little bit by coming in a little bit fresher, but I’ve really enjoyed it.
“It’s been a long season but I’ve got the finals first and then the ODIs so there’s still a lot of cricket to play between now and the end of Pakistan. It’ll be a challenge but it’s exciting to have an opportunity in the white-ball arena as well.”
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