England to call up Surrey's Smith as wicketkeeper

England are group to manus a debut to Surrey's Jamie Smith - picking him up of Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes - erstwhile they sanction nan squad for nan first Test against West Indies connected Sunday.

As reported successful the Telegraph,, external Smith will support wicket successful nan first Test astatine Lord's, opening connected 10 July, contempt Foakes being Surrey's first-choice gloveman.

The 23-year-old was England's wicketkeeper successful their 2 one-day internationals against Ireland past September.

He is an breathtaking batting talent, averaging much than 40 successful first-class cricket and successful excess of 50 successful this season's County Championship. Smith's strokeplay fits successful pinch England's affirmative style of play and their desire to person an fierce batter astatine number seven.

His inclusion is different motion of England's intent to freshen up nan Test side, partially pinch nan 2025-26 Ashes bid successful Australia successful mind.

Foakes and Bairstow person traded nan gloves since skipper Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum took complete successful 2022.

Foakes kept wicket connected nan circuit of India earlier this year, pinch Bairstow playing arsenic a master batter. The return of Harry Brook, who missed that circuit to beryllium pinch his sick grandmother, ever meant astatine slightest 1 of Foakes aliases Bairstow would miss out.

Foakes, 31, has played 25 Tests and is arguably nan champion gloveman successful nan world. However, he had a highest people of 47 pinch nan bat successful India and lacks batting powerfulness to counter-attack astatine nan back-end of an innings.

This latest omission could spell nan extremity of Bairstow's Test career, aliases moreover his full tally arsenic an world player.

Bairstow, who will beryllium 35 successful September, reached 100 Tests successful India, but had a highest people of 39 connected nan tour.

A regular successful limited-overs cricket, he whitethorn besides find himself unfortunate of a regeneration that seems apt to travel England's T20 World Cup semi-final exit and nan dismal defence of their 50-over World Cup crown past year.

The alteration of wicketkeeper comes aft England told all-time starring wicket-taker James Anderson that they intend to move connected from him this summer.

With 700 wickets, Anderson is nan astir successful gait bowler successful nan history of Test cricket, but will discontinue aft nan series-opener against West Indies.