Gus Atkinson may have stolen the headlines but there was another England debutant who impressed against the West Indies.

Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes might have given themselves a disconcerting look after watching Jamie Smith look right at home as wicketkeeper at Lord’s earlier this month.

Both of England’s old guard behind the stumps have been stood down for the Test series against the West Indies with managing director Rob Key a huge fan of Smith.

The 24-year-old, who has played as back-up wicketkeeper to Foakes at Surrey all season, took four catches in both of the Windies’ innings and was sharp with the bat, too.

The debutant made an incredible 70 runs, bested only by Zak Crawley and knocking more than Joe Root, Ben Stokes and Ollie Pope to help England storm to victory after just three days as legend Jimmy Anderson bowed out in style.

But if being a tricky wicketkeeper and talented stroke player was not enough, Smith also had one eye on going professional in football.

Growing up in Epsom, Surrey, Smith was not bad with a ball at his feet as well as with the bat and had played for AFC Wimbledon as a young boy.

It was only his love of cricket that stopped him, giving up his football dream at the age of 15 to concentrate on his other talent.

Wimbledon is only a short way from his hometown in Epsom, where Chelsea star Conor Gallagher was also born and raised.

But having joined Surrey’s development system at the age of nine, it was clear England had a prodigal talent on their hands.

3

3

In fact, his football skills might have come in handy as a wicketkeeper – he is quick on his feet and his reflexes are astonishing despite being 6ft2.

“I have made big strides in the last 18 months,” he told The Telegraph. “It has come down to the clarity of backing and trusting how I want to play.

“In 2022 we won the championship and I scored a double hundred at Bristol but that was my only contribution to the season. I felt deflated and was fortunate to be picked on a Lions tour that winter.

“I went on that trip putting trust back on what I do well which is putting people under pressure rather than thinking I have to bat 200 balls and be tight in defence.

“It is about imposing myself a bit more and being as positive as I can. It was a mindset shift, not worrying about how someone was trying to get me out.

“Now my mind is clear. I am thinking not about that but how to score runs. [Bazball] has benefited me a lot. It has made it more simple – you go out there thinking of scoring runs being the be all and end all.”

Smith’s inclusion in the squad to face the West Indies this month is no doubt a taster for the youngster ahead of the 2025/26 Ashes.

A long-term replacement for England legend Bairstow has already been one of the main orders of business for Key and coach Brendan McCullum.

And, indeed, in Foakes they might already have arguably the best wicketkeeper in the world.

But there is no competition between the 31-year-old and Smith, who has willingly passed the torch this Test series.

“We’ve got a very good relationship and he has helped me a lot with my keeping,” Smith said of his Surrey teammate. “He spoke to me about what to expect from this experience.”

Keep up to date with all the latest news and interviews on the talkSPORT Cricket YouTube channel.