Jamie Smith’s partner is due to give birth in December (Picture: Getty)
Mark Butcher has questioned the decision for Jamie Smith to miss part of England’s tour of New Zealand to attend the birth of his child, insisting he would not have given up his spot in similar circumstances.
Smith, 24, made his Test debut against the West Indies back in July and has gone on to establish himself as one of the most exciting young talents in world cricket with a string of swashbuckling performances.
Having racked up three 50s and a century in his opening eight matches in the Test arena, the wicket-keeper-batsman appeared on course for his second ton against Pakistan this morning, only to be caught out on 89.
But England head coach Brendon McCullum has confirmed Smith is likely be absent for the start of England’s three-match series in New Zealand, beginning next month, with Kent’s Jordan Cox in line to make his debut.
Smith is set to travel with the rest of England’s squad to Christchurch for the first contest before returning home to be with his partner for the birth of his first child.
‘I think at this stage it looks like Jamie will probably play the first one and may miss the next two. We’re not sure, it’s sort of up to Mother Nature a little bit,’ McCullum explained.
‘New Zealand is a comfortable place to wicket-keep and it would be great to have a look at Jordan Cox as well. His keeping is solid.
Cox is set to take over the gloves from Smith in New Zealand (Picture: Getty)
‘I’ve done a bit of work with him over the last little while. He’s natural at everything he does.
‘He’s actually annoyingly good at everything he does, particularly on the golf course.
‘He’s one of those guys that you look at and say he’s got a high ceiling in terms of talent, particularly with bat in hand, and there’s a fair chance that he’ll get the opportunity in New Zealand, if Jamie does return home, to bat down the order and take the gloves.’
Butcher claims he would not have given up his place in similar circumstances (Picture: Getty)
Butcher has been blown away by Smith’s start in Test cricket and is confident the Surrey man has been given assurances over his place, with Cox set to take the gloves in New Zealand.
But the ex-England batter – speaking on the Wisden Cricket podcast – said he would not have given up his spot as ‘lightly’ during his playing days.
‘I guess this is just my generation, I suppose,’ Butcher said.
Smith has enjoyed an eye-catching start to his Test career (Picture: Getty)
‘But having just got into the Test-match side, I know it’s the birth of your first child and everything, but I would not be giving up my spot for anybody if I was Jamie Smith.
‘But that’s just the way things are in the modern game. Jamie Smith probably feels and has probably been assured that the likelihood is, whatever happens …read more
Source:: Metro
