Jamie Smith will be a "world-class player over a
long period of time", according to former England international and Sri
Lanka batting coach Ian Bell.
Smith, 24, made his maiden Test century on the third day of
England's series opener against the Sri Lankans at Emirates Old Trafford.
Bell, who played 118 Tests, has worked with Smith for
England Lions and Hundred side Birmingham Phoenix.
"The small part that I played in his development, I've
watched a guy who's worked extremely hard," said Bell.
"I'm sure he's going to be a massive part of this
England team in all formats over a long time."
Surrey's Smith was given the gloves by England ahead of
county team-mate Ben Foakes and Yorkshire's Jonny Bairstow for the series
against West Indies earlier this summer.
He missed out on a maiden century in the third Test against
the Windies, making 95 at Edgbaston, but made no mistake with 111 in Manchester
on Friday.
Overall, he is only the third England player to have three
scores in excess of 70 in their first five Test innings and his 318 runs after
five knocks is the second-most of any wicketkeeper in Test history.
And 42-year-old Bell, whose 7,727 runs put him ninth on
England's all-time list in Tests, said he was "not at all" surprised
by the start Smith had made at the highest level of the game.
"He's going to be a world-class player for England over
a long period of time," said the former Warwickshire batter. "He's
confident, and he's taken to international cricket with ease."
Smith's knock helped England to 358 in their first innings,
an advantage of 122 runs.
When their top-order batting failed, Sri Lanka were in
danger of being beaten inside three days before rallying to 204-6 - albeit only
leading by 82.
Smith's celebration on reaching three figures was low key,
but he later spoke of his "pride" over the achievement.
"I probably didn't show it, but inwardly I was
obviously very happy," he said.
"That's just me as a person. I don't want to show too
much emotion, it's all inward and it's mainly about the job to do for the team.
"Once you reach the moment, you can enjoy that 30
seconds, but then it's back on to what the team requires."
Smith was initially selected to bat at number seven and has
now found himself at number six as England cover for injured captain Ben
Stokes.
He has spent most of his first-class career in the top six
for Surrey and former captain Michael Vaughan said England have a "lovely
headache" over where Smith should bat in the future.
"The only question to come is whether Smith is batting
too low," Vaughan told Test Match Special.
"England have such a powerhouse line-up, they want
someone at seven who can bat with the tail and he's certainly got the skillset
for that.
"I admire his aggressive strokeplay, but mostly I
admire his defence. If you've got that, if you can nullify the best balls and
play straight, you can bat anywhere you want in the order."
