CRICKET STAR SMITH ON HIS OTHER BIG PASSION

AS Jarrod Bowen raced through on goal in the final minute to win the 2023 UEFA Conference League title, Jamie Smith was running for a bus so he could tune in.

- By Keith Webster

Smith once entertained thoughts of a professional football career but instead dons the gloves and pads for Ben Stokes’ England cricket team that will soon be heading Down Under for the Ashes.

Two years ago, he had professional duty on the night his beloved West Ham were in Prague, taking on Fiorentina, when Bowen’s late goal ensured a famous 2-1 win.

Smith told the West Ham club website: “I was playing for Surrey in aT20 Blast game in Cardiff and for county T20 games you have to hand your phones in, like you do at international level, so I didn’t actually have my phone.