TOUGH ROOKIE

Debut dazzler Smith is a keeper says Stokes

- NEIL MOXLEY

BEN STOKES has saluted England new boy Jamie Smith as a “proper player”.

The Test skipper delivered a gushing verdict on the Surrey man after his debut series ended in glory.

Stokes praised all three newcomers – Gus Atkinson and Shoaib Bashir were also making their debuts – following the 3-0 series victory over the West Indies.

But he singled out 24-year-old Smith, who impressively combined his wicket-keeping and batting duties.

Smith fell five runs short of a maiden hundred in the third Test at Edgbaston, having posted a half-century on debut at Lord’s.