Jamie Smith “will be a world-class player for a long time,” according to former England and Sri Lanka batting coach Ian Bell.
Smith, 24, reached his first Test match hundred on the third day of England's series-opening match against Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford.
Bell, who played 118 Test matches, worked alongside Smith at England Lions and Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred.
“The small role I've played in his development has been watching him work so hard,” Bell said.
“I am confident that he will be a key part of the England team across all formats for a long time to come.”
Surrey-born Smith was selected as England captain for the series against the West Indies earlier this summer, ahead of fellow Surrey team-mate Ben Foakes and Yorkshireman Jonny Bairstow.
He missed out on his maiden century in the third Test against the Windies, scoring just 95 at Edgbaston, but his 111 in Manchester on Friday put him in no doubt about it.
Overall, he is only the third England player to score 70-plus three times in his first five Test innings and his 318 after five knocks is the second-most by a wicketkeeper in Test history.
Bell, 42, who is ninth on England's all-time list in Test match runs with 7,727, said he was “not at all” surprised by Smith's start at the game's highest level.
“He will be a world-class player for England for a long time,” the former Warwickshire batsman said. “He's full of confidence and has adapted to international cricket with ease.”
