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 made his maiden Test century on the third day of England’s season opener against Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford.

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

“The small role I’ve played in his development is I’ve seen a guy who has worked extremely hard,” Bell said.

“I’m sure he’s going to be a hugely important part of the England team, at all formats, for a long time to come.”

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

He missed his maiden century in the third Test against the Windies, scoring 95 at Edgbaston, but made no mistake with a score of 111 in Manchester on Friday.

All in all, he is only the third English player to have made three scores above 70 in the first five Test innings. His 318 runs from five strikes are the second-highest total of any wicketkeeper in Test cricket history.

And the 42-year-old Bell, who is ninth in the list of England’s all-time leading Test batsmen with 7,727 runs, said he was “not at all” surprised by the start Smith has made at the highest level of the game.

“He’s going to be a world-class player for England over a long period of time,” said the former Warwickshire man. “He’s confident and he’s transitioned to international cricket with ease.”