Exclusive: Jamie Smith Backed to Shine as England’s Secret Ashes Weapon

The 74th edition of the Ashes begins in Perth on Friday. Of the previous contests, Australia has won 34 series and England 32, with seven ending in draws, six of which resulted in Australia retaining the urn.

England last won the Ashes in Australia 15 years ago. There are expectations that the visiting team could spring a surprise this time around. 

Among star players Jofra Archer, Mark Wood, Joe Root, Harry Brook, and Ben Stokes, there also lies an underrated wicketkeeper-batsman, Jamie Smith, who doesn't have the prior experience of touring or losing in Australia. No pressure, no expectations.

KEEPING IN AUSTRALIA WITH JAMIE IN FOCUS

Like Matt Prior in 2010, or Brad Haddin in 2013, Smith could be England's dark horse with the bat and gloves. And he is a fine wicketkeeper, too, with 52 catches and a couple of stumpings in a short career.

Former England wicketkeeper Prior scored 252 runs, including a hundred and a fifty, in five Tests at an average of 50.40 in 2010, while Australia's Haddin scored 493, including a hundred and five fifties, at an average of 61.62 in 2013.

Jack Russell, one of the best wicketkeepers to have donned the England shirt from 1988 to 1998, decoded Smith. 

"Jamie is a talented keeper. Very agile for a tall guy. Got good hands. Still young and still learning. He should keep well in Australia because he probably won’t have to worry about balls coming through low down. This is the most difficult area for tall keepers. One advantage of being tall is that you have a longer reach when diving for catches or balls overhead. I expect him to do well because many pitches will be similar to those he plays on for Surrey at The Oval," Russell told Sportsboom.co.uk on the eve of the Perth Test on Thursday.

With the bat, Smith has 12 first-class hundreds, and in 15 Test matches, he has 1,075 runs, including two hundreds and six fifties at an average of 48.86. The unbeaten 184 (207) and 88 (99) against India in Birmingham earlier this year showcased his fearless nature.

HOW TO GO ABOUT DOWN UNDER

Russell, with 153 catches and 12 stumpings under his belt in Tests, expects Smith and all the youngsters travelling to Australia for the first time to play tough. 

"It’s a great place to tour. I loved it. You have to be tough-skinned and be mentally strong because it’s a tough place to play cricket, as the Aussies are competitive. You even face it when walking down the street."

"But it’s a great cricketing nation, and if you play well against them, they will give you respect; show any weakness and they will crush you. I think we have a very good chance, but everyone will have to be near their best," added Russell, who played three Tests in Australia in 1990-91.

The 62-year-old is now a professional painter, but still keeps an eye on cricket matches. He felt that smashing every ball, which England prefers to do with their Bazball approach, may not help win the series. 

"We need to be smart, and trying to bash every ball won’t win you the series. Aggressive batting with brain power will give you the best chance. Our fast bowlers need to stay fit, and if that happens, then we have a really good chance," he said.

Russell's favourite Ashes memory is stumping Dean Jones off the medium pace of Gladstone Small in Sydney in 1991. 

"I think it’s still possible to view it on YouTube somewhere," added the veteran.

Looking at the opposition, Australia, Tom Scollay, the former Middlesex batter now coaching in Western Australia, told us that Jake Weatherald could be one of the under-the-radar threats England must be wary of, echoing themes from our recent interviews on emerging Ashes dangers.

After the Perth Test, the action will move to pink ball under the lights in Brisbane, followed by Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney.