Jamie Smith admitted patience was a virtue as he marked his England Test debut with a half-century on day two against West Indies at Lord’s.
Smith is in line for a first Test appearance at Trent Bridge next week, having been picked in preference to his Surrey teammate Ben Foakes for the Three Lions’ first two Tests of the summer.
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Smith hit 70 as England made 371 in their first innings, before reducing West Indies to 79/6, trailing by 171, at stumps.
"Batting seven and keeping is a new role for me, but I'm happy to adapt. Batting with the tail is new for me as well, so I am learning on the job a bit," he said after the close of play.
"It was the most nervy I've been when going out to bat for a long time, so to go on and contribute and put the team in a winning position is most the important thing.
"I felt my rhythm was slightly off and it's a world-class bowling attack as well, so you're never going to always get off to a flier, it's just about sticking in there a bit.
"It helped the situation I came in at where we were on a decent enough lead at that point, and the ball was a bit softer and older which allowed me to get into the game.
"I didn't have to go out there and score too quickly, and I was out there with [Joe Root] helping me out, which was great.
"That was my time to just bed in and then I knew I've got the game to catch up as and when needed."
Smith has become accustomed to batting further up the order for his county, but has relished the challenge of taking on a new role at international level.
And as England look to close out victory, he’s eyeing further scalps for his Surrey stablemate, Gus Atkinson, and for the retiring James Anderson.
"Any opportunity to play for England, whatever way you can get in the side whether that's batting or 'keeping is a massive thing for me,” he said.
“I've really enjoyed these first two days and hopefully we can finish well on Friday.
"It would be nice for Gus to get two more to have 10 in the match because I think he deserves that, and Jimmy to pick off the rest."
Smith accompanied Anderson in what proved to be a brief excursion to the middle in his final Test innings, as the England icon was left not out without facing a ball after the wicketkeeper holed out.
"It was surreal," said Smith. "I am slightly gutted I didn't see that last ball go for six so he could have his moment. That's one thing I regret about that innings, I think.
"Everyone is going to miss Jimmy when he goes and to be part of this is pretty special."
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