Smith eager to thrive for England after ‘challenging’ period

JAMIE SMITH believes a frustrating past few months with England could be the making of him. A little over a year ago, Smith was averaging close to 60 after his first dozen Tests, while he equalled the record for the fastest wicketkeeper to 1,000 runs in just 21 innings. But he endured a torturous Ashes, making just one 50-plus score and his rank dismissal to Australia part-timer Marnus Labuschagne in Sydney attracted scathing criticism from several ex-England players.