THRILL SMITH

Door opens for Jamie at top of the order

- by DAVID CHARLESWORTH

JAMIE SMITH'S raw talent has been backed to trump his inexperience opening the batting as England try to improve their shoddy ODI form.

Smith's elevation to No.3 during the 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.

He has flourished at Test level with bat and gloves, enough to convince new limited-overs captain Harry Brook and head coach Brendon McCullum to pair him with Ben Duckett at the top of the order in a three-match series against the West Indies, starting on Thursday at Edgbaston.