Ravichandran Ashwin backs Jamie Smith to become a big player for England

Former Indian veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has backed Jamie Smith to have a bright future for England. Ashwin feels Smith has all the ingredients to become a big player for the country. After impressing in Test matches, Smith made his T20I debut against India at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Saturday.

The right-hander scored an impressive cameo of 22 runs off just 12 balls but was dismissed by part-time spinner Abhishek Sharma. Smith has scored 637 runs in nine Test matches at an average of 42.47. The 24-year-old has scored 133 runs in seven ODI matches for the Three Lions.

Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube Channel, “I want to talk about one batter from England. I have played county cricket against him at least six years ago. He’s a wicketkeeper batter, and he plays for Surrey now. We can say he is like a new kid on the block. In England, people quickly brand a youngster as the next generation superstar, but this guy is not getting the limelight.”

“Mark my words, he will be a big player. He is Jamie Smith. What a batter he is! What skills he has! The way he plays spin has been excellent since the start. He does not have any issues against fast bowlers as well,” the former Indian spinner added.

Smith has certainly shown the right skills to go a long way in his career and he would look to be at his best in the upcoming ODI series against India and also the Champions Trophy. 

The third T20I between India and England will be played at the Niranjan Shah Stadium, Rajkot on Tuesday.