Jamie Smith believes that opening the batting in England 's ODI series against West Indies has provided him with "great practice" for facing India 's Test-match quicks. Smith cracked a 25-ball half-century - his first in ODIs - in England's seven-wicket win at The Oval on Tuesday and said facing "quality" new-ball bowlers has been beneficial to his wider game.

"There's an opportunity there to go and play, and experience opening when the ball is still swinging and nipping around against quality bowlers," Smith said. "It's definitely great practice [for the India series ]. It feels like we're close to it now, we're almost there. It's been great playing these three games and obviously the Zimbabwe Test leading up to it."

Smith struck at 180.35 across the three-match series, scori

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