Jamie Smith shone in his debut Test summer after surprise inclusion as England wicketkeeper – but the 24-year-old admits he must be sharper on DRS calls going forward

Such has been the impact of Jamie Smith either side of the stumps during a maiden summer of Test cricket that the one area for improvement on his end-of-term report is his use of technology.

The selection of Smith, 24, ahead of established international wicketkeepers Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes caused a stir two months ago, but he already has a Test hundred under his belt, averages 48.7 in six appearances with the bat and a tough day one stumping against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford aside, has not fluffed a chance with the gloves.

However, he concedes that his input as the captain’s go-to man on DRS calls needs to be sharper. Against the Sri Lankans, Ollie Pope made 10 challenges to umpires’ decisions while deputising for Ben Stokes, failing on each occasion.

Prior to his Test debut in July, Smith had not previously used DRS – he wasn’t even Surrey’s regular wicketkeeper, to be fair – so he has had to get used to the extra responsibility.

‘People always say you should look at the ball, but there’s a lot going on. As you play a few more games you get a bit more comfortable putting your point across,’ Smith said.

But the prospect admitted he needs to improve with choosing when to review going forward

Ollie Pope challenged the umpire’s decision on ten occasions with none proving successful

‘Especially with Popey, a lot were quite speculative. Kamindu Mendis for them, batting at seven, was superb all series so I thought it was a good opportunity at times to look and go “if we break this partnership, we’re into their tail.”

‘We almost felt like we might as well give it a go because you’ve got three and you can’t take them with you.’

Ultimately, England did not suffer from burning their reviews, but Smith accepts ‘it’s going to be very important,’ to be more judicious about their implementation in October’s away series in Pakistan, where spin will be bowled with fielders crowding the bat and reverse swing will demand clear calls on trajectory of deliveries and whether ball has struck bat or pad first.

However, if the pitches are as flat as two years ago, conditions will potentially allow Smith to reprise the kind of counter-attacking innings that threatened to make Sri Lanka’s chase stiffer in their eight-wicket win this week.

Smith’s fourth Test half-century, including a spree of 52 runs in 19 balls alongside the tail, roused an Oval crowd feeling deflated by an earlier collapse, evoking memories of Kevin Pietersen.

‘It was very enjoyable. What we’re trying to do as a team is entertaining to inspire the next generation. So to see people enjoying the way you’re playing, sort of not booing you for blocking it and things like, it’s always nice,’ he said.

‘And just to come over to the ground you’ve played at your whole life, and have the crowd behind you a little bit more as a local boy, is special.’

The year of 2024 has been a busy one for Smith: in addition to launching his Test career, taking his first-class appearances this season to 15 and guaranteeing one of the annual central contracts awarded next month, he has moved into a new house in Kingswood and is due to become a father before it is out.

Smith may soon face a dilemma as England’s tour of New Zealand later this year coincides with his partner’s due date

If he chooses to witness the birth, it would rule him out of at least one of the three Tests in New Zealand – the second is in Wellington from December 6-10, with the third in Hamilton between December 14-18.

So, has he made a decision? ‘Absolutely not,’ he says. ‘I’ve got to get in the side first and retain my place which is the first thing.’

Before then, as Mail Sport revealed on Monday, he will turn out for Surrey at Twenty20 finals day this weekend and rounds off his summer with a pre-Ashes look at Australia over five one-day internationals.