It’s a bit of a different role, but I quite enjoy it, he said. You’ve got a bit less responsibility, I think. When you’re at No 4 you’ve got the responsibility to score the big runs and set the game up for the guys below you.
When you’re down at seven [where he batted in this Test] you can kind of come in and play your natural game a bit more and just try and hit the ball hard, which is probably more my game, so I quite enjoy batting down the order.
Smith’s innings was not without its shaky moments, though, as he was dropped on 26 and 65, with the latter coming in the final over of the day’s play, much to his relief.
It was nice to get away with that one at the end, he said. I didn’t really see the guy (Shamarh Brooks) running in and then he was there, so I just kind of poked it straight up in the air.
But it was a great day for us, and to be 300-odd ahead at the end of the day is great, so I’m happy with that.
With England in such a strong position heading into the third day, Smith will be hopeful of piling on more runs to put the game beyond West Indies’ reach, although he admits he is not looking too far ahead just yet.
I think we’ve just got to try and bat for as long as we can, Smith said. Obviously, we’ll try and keep the runs ticking over, but if we can bat as long as we can then we’re in a good position in the game.
Then we’ll see where we are at the end of the day, but for now, we’re in a good position and we’re happy with where we are.
It’s a dream come true to be out there representing your country and I’m just trying to make the most of every moment.”