Jamie Smith paid tribute to Ian Bell’s influence on his career after scoring his first Test century even though the former England batsman is now working with Sri Lanka.
Smith’s 111 on Friday’s third day of the first Test at Old Trafford propelled England into a first-innings lead of 122 runs.
And by stumps Sri Lanka were 204-6 in their second innings, a lead of just 82 runs, with England pressing hard for their fourth successive red-ball win of the season following a 3-0 series rout of the West Indies.
Bell, a five-times Ashes winner during his playing career, is currently employed by Sri Lanka as a batting consultant.
But he worked alongside Smith during their time together in the recent edition of English domestic cricket’s Hundred competition.
The 24-year-old Smith, who on Friday broke a record that had stood since 1930 to become the youngest England wicketkeeper to score a Test century, also benefitted from Bell’s knowledge while representing the second-string England Lions.
“Belly has been a great help for me both in the Lions and with Birmingham Phoenix for the last couple of years,” Smith told reporters.
“The knowledge that he passed on and his willingness to throw balls at me before games when I had an eye on the Test series is something I’m really grateful for.”
The Surrey rising star added: “It’s great when people are willing to be in your corner, I guess, and help you out even though they’re in the opposition side. So I was grateful for his help.
“It felt really good to come away with that milestone today. I felt very relaxed. I felt comfortable to go out there and just play.”
Bell, for his part, was proud of Smith’s display after Smith just missed out on a Test hundred when making 95 against the West Indies at Edgbaston last month.
“He’s going to be a world-class player for England over a long period of time,” said Bell.
The 42-year-old, who scored 22 hundreds in 118 Tests for England, added: “There’s a small part that I suppose I played in his development but I’ve watched a guy who’s worked extremely hard. He’s taken to international cricket with ease.”
There was nothing flamboyant about Smith’s celebrations when he reached his century as he made do with a restrained raising of his bat after going to three figures in just 136 balls, including seven fours and a six.
“I probably didn’t show it, but inwardly I was obviously very happy with that milestone,” said Smith.
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