When Jamie Smith made his international debut at Trent Bridge last September, it was as part of a much-changed Three Lions line-up.
Test mainstays Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett were joined by full internationals seeking a consistent run in the side – the likes of Rehan Ahmed and Matthew Potts – and fresh faces, like Smith and Sam Hain, desperate to take the opportunity afforded to them.
Fast-forward 12 months and Smith, now ensconced as England’s first-choice Test gloveman, has grasped his chance at cricket’s top table.
As he prepares to face Australia at Trent Bridge in the first of a five-match ODI series, the Surrey batter is bidding to consolidate his standing in the limited-overs game.
“At the time it was a stepping stone,” he recalled of his first England appearance.
“I was happy with the season I’d had in the county stuff, so to have the recognition of an England appearance was great and capped a great summer for me at the time.
“I wasn’t necessarily expecting to be picked after that, but it’s nice to be back in the fold and hopefully there are an exciting few weeks ahead.”
Smith is in line for his third ODI appearance this week, having averaged 48.70 in the English Test summer and hit four 50+ scores.
It has been the assertive manner of his innings that has impressed onlookers, and the 24-year-old is keen to transfer that mindset into the white-ball game.
“When you’re picked to play a certain role, and that’s how they’ve earmarked you to play, to go out and do that is pleasing,” he said.
“It gives you confidence that you’ve done it and you can take that into situations into the future.
“The brand you want to play is to be positive and aggressive. The quality of players in the squad and up and down the country allows that style of play to come to fruition, and the talent on show in this series can go out and be positive.”
This week’s encounter will see Smith combine two roles to which he is comparatively new – keeping wicket for England, and playing the 50-over format of the game.
The right-hander has 17 List A appearances to his name, and he appreciates the level of adaptability he may be compelled to show.
“It’s a case of getting up to speed quickly,” he said.
“It’s still a fast paced format, you don’t have much time to find your feet, but it’s situation-dependent in terms of how you go about it.
“You might have to bed in and find your feet, but equally if you’re going well it’ll be nice to take the gamer on and be entertaining.
“[With the gloves] it’s definitely helped getting match practice and experience – you’re always going to learn more about yourself and what you need to work on when you’re exposed to new situations.”
With Brendon McCullum in his corner as Test Head Coach – and with the Kiwi legend soon to be taking up the mantle in the white-ball game – Smith does not have to look far for expert advice.
“What I look to be as a cricketer is an attacking wicketkeeper batsman, so it gives you confidence that he’s someone who’s had that sort of experience,” he said.
“You don’t tend to get that many wicketkeepers that are coaches to help you along the way, so it’s great been great to have worked with him in the short space of time I’ve had so far.”