Jamie Smith will be “a world-class player in the long term”, according to former England international and Sri Lankan batting coach Ian Bell.

The 24-year-old Smith scored his first Test century on the third day of England’s series opener against Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford.

Bell, who played 118 Tests, has worked with Smith for the England Lions and Hundred team Birmingham Phoenix.

“I had a small part in his development, but I watched a man who worked extremely hard,” Bell said.

“I am sure he will be an important part of this England team in all formats for a long time to come.”

Smith, of Surrey, was given the gloves by England ahead of his county teammate Ben Foakes and Yorkshire’s Jonny Bairstow for the series against West Indies earlier this summer.

In the third Test against the Windies, he missed his first century with 95 points at Edgbaston, but on Friday in Manchester he made it clear with 111 points.

Overall, he is only the third English player to score 70+ three times in the first five Test innings, and his 318 runs after five deliveries is the second highest total by any wicketkeeper in the history of Test cricket.

And 42-year-old Bell, who is ninth on the all-time list of English Test batters with 7,727 runs, said he was “not at all” surprised by the start Smith had made at the highest level of the game.

“He will be a world-class player for England in the long term,” said the former Warwickshire player. “He is confident and has settled into international cricket well.”