Stuart Broad hails Jamie Smith for Ben Stokes-like ability to score runs with tail

Former England fast bowler Stuart Broad has praised Jamie Smith for scoring crucial runs with the tailenders comparing his ability with captain Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow. Notably, Smith registered his third half century in just his fourth Test against Sri Lanka on Day 2 of the first Test at Emirates Old Trafford, Manchester.

Smith walked in to bat with England 125/4 trailing Sri Lanka by 111 runs. The 24-year-old scored first added 62 runs for fifth wicket with Harry Brook. He remained unbeaten on 72 at stumps on Day 2 giving England a lead of 23 runs with four wickets in hand.

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Hailing the young wicketkeeper batter for his performance, Broad said that he’s been picked in the team for the exact same situation they’re in right now, to add runs with the tail.

"He is been superb. Ultimately, this exact scenario England are in now is the reason he got picked, so when he is batting number seven, when Ben Stokes is here, and with the tail, they feel they still feel they can find the boundary and add a good amount of runs when the lower order are in,” Stuart Broad told Sky Sports.

Further speaking ahead, Broad backed Smith to add crucial runs with the tail on Day 3 and build on England’s lead.

ENG vs SL 1st Test Day 2 Highlights

"If Jamie Smith hangs around on Friday morning and bats with the No 10 and 11, he will have the opportunity of pushing twos when he needs to, taking the strike, farming the strike and hitting sixes when he can. He has got all of the ability to do it, it is just being put in that scenario under pressure, and he might find an opportunity to do so," he concluded.

Jamie Smith's terrific beginning to Test career

Having recently made his debut against West Indies at Lord’s, Smith has taken to Test cricket like fish to water. The right-handed batter has scored 279 runs from five innings at an average of 69.75 with three fifties and a strike rate of 72.27. He got his career off to a terrific start scoring 70 (119) on his debut vs West Indies.

He further scored a phenomenal 95 in the third Test missing out on his maiden hundred by five runs. Batting on 72, Smith will be eager to finally touch the elusive three-figure mark on Day 3 against Sri Lanka in Manchester.

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