Of the three new faces earmarked for key positions this summer – Gus Atkinson with the new ball, Shoaib Bashir as the lone spinner and Jamie Smith behind the stumps – each had their big moment.

Atkinson took 11 wickets on his debut against West Indies at Lord’s and Bashir defeated the same opponents at Trent Bridge.

They clearly have great potential as international cricketers, but one cannot help but feel that Smith is the man to look forward to most.

He has ended the debate over the Bairstow and Ben Foakes wicketkeeping positions and has the potential to be England’s wicketkeeper for the next decade. Although he batted well – apart from a missed stumping and a no-ball for breaking the line with his gloves – it is Smith’s batting performance that makes us believe England have discovered a gem here.

At 24 years of age and playing only his fourth Test, Smith scored his first century from a difficult position in the first innings and then took the tension out of a tricky chase with an easy 39 in the second innings.

His stance is a little awkward, but everything that happens after the bowler releases the ball has the grace of Darcey Bussell. Solid defense, beautiful drives and quick pull shots.

Smith is remarkably poised for such a young and inexperienced cricketer. His celebration when he reached three figures at Old Trafford was little more than a wave of his bat towards the party box. Last year, on the same ground, Bairstow made 99 and practically climbed into the press box to argue.