Former England cricketer David Lloyd has applauded young wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith, comparing him to the legends Kevin Pietersen and Adam Gilchrist as well. He shared this after Smith’s 95 (109) against the West Indies in the third Test at Edgbaston as well. After West Indies scored 282 in the first innings, Smith smashed the West Indies attack for 12 fours and a six as well.

“I’ve heard a lot about Jamie Smith from some very knowledgeable people, but this weekend was the first time seeing him in the flesh,” David Lloyd wrote in his column for the Daily Mail. “Wow, and double wow. I haven’t been on the edge of my seat like that since the days of Kevin Pietersen. Smith is going to be around a very long time. He’s going to take games away from the opposition. Shades of Adam Gilchrist.”

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However, England have given chances to young, aggressive Test wicketkeepers who can hit the ball long and hard as well. They had the experienced Jonny Bairstow but his poor form led to his drop from the team. David Lloyd also weighed in on speedster Mark Wood’s pace and
consistency after he claimed nine wickets in two Tests, including a fifer haul at Edgbaston.

“Mark Wood is approaching the age of 35, but he’s still banging his deliveries out at 90-plus miles per hour,” Lloyd wrote. “Pace is a potent force. Is he on course for the Ashes? Well, he looks like he is to me. That’s back-to-back Tests with no let-up in his speed, and so he’s not doing his case any harm. Fast bowlers clean up tails as he did perfectly yesterday. You just can’t beat the menace of a genuinely fast because it disturbs the minds of opponents,” David Lloyd concluded.