Jamie just the job to open new Brook era for England

JAMIE Smith's raw talent has been backed to trump his inexperience opening the batting as England try to arrest their alarming one-day form under new captain Harry Brook.

- By DAVID CHARLESWORTH

Smith's elevation to number three during England’s torturous Champions Trophy this year backfired as he made just 24 runs in three innings in Pakistan, while he has never opened in the 50-over format before.

He has flourished at Test level with bat and gloves, enough to convince Brook and head coach Brendon McCullum to pair Smith with Ben Duckett at the top of the order in a three-match series against the West Indies, starting at Edgbaston today.

Jos Buttler, Brook’s predecessor as white-ball skipper, was a contender but he returns to the rank and file by taking Smith’s wicketkeeping role for an England side who have lost their last seven ODIs.

“Me and Baz just have this burning desire that he could be an unbelievable white-ball opener,’ said Brook, ahead of his first assignment in charge of England's white-ball teams.