Former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior has called on current keeper Jamie Smith to embrace his role as the “heartbeat” of the team as England looks to recover from a 2-0 deficit in the 2025–26 Ashes series against Australia.

Smith Struggling in Recent Matches

Jamie Smith has faced a challenging start to the series, scoring single-digit or low totals in six of his last eight Test innings. Behind the stumps, errors have crept in, most notably dropping Australia’s Travis Head in the second Test in Brisbane.

Speaking on the BBC’s Stumped podcast, Prior highlighted the pivotal role of a wicketkeeper in guiding the team and maintaining focus on-field:

“The keeper’s role has always been the heartbeat of that group on the field,” said Prior, who won three Ashes series in a 79-Test career.

“You’re the drummer of the band, you help the captain and bowlers with angles. You know how the bowlers are getting on, how they’re coming, are they still in rhythm, are they hitting the gloves well, are they not? Are the plans and tactics right for any given batsman, do they need changing?”

Prior stressed that Smith must balance his personal game with his wider responsibilities:

“If you’re internalising everything and just focusing on your own game, you can’t concentrate on anything external which is hugely important to the captain, bowlers, and the rest of the team. Jamie Smith needs to want to be out there, want to be in the middle and want to be in the fight.”

Tactical Awareness Key for England

England face a must-win scenario in the third Test in Adelaide if they are to keep their Ashes hopes alive. Prior believes a re-focused Smith could be central to turning the tide:

“The best thing Jamie Smith can do is prep, make sure that your game’s in good order,” he said.

“Once that’s done, you can’t do any more than that – if you make a mistake, it’s because you’re human. When you get into the game, then it’s about everything external.”

He urged Smith to actively engage with bowlers and fielders, emphasizing the importance of communication and leadership behind the stumps:

“Grab the fielders – Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Zak Crawley – ‘Right, we’re going to go pick a fight with Steve Smith’. That’s the stuff you have to do.”

Advice from Ian Healy

Former Australia wicketkeeper Ian Healy also highlighted the tactical and psychological role of a keeper, particularly when facing a dominant opposition.

“If you care for your team and care for your role as a wicketkeeper, you’re going to give that bowler some advice, you’re going to hatch a plan together,” Healy told the Stick to Cricket podcast.

Healy also noted the challenge of facing an in-form counterpart, referencing Australia’s Alex Carey:

“I’ve got to lift or I’m gone here, or my confidence is low – this bloke’s making it look really easy. You have got an eye on the opposition keeper for sure.”

Life Behind the Stumps

Prior reflected on the unique pressures of wicketkeeping, describing the mental strain that comes with a dropped catch or a bowler losing rhythm:

“I spent hours stood in the middle with my glasses hoping no-one could see my eyes – because I was just scared,” said Prior.

He explained how mistakes can compound, affecting confidence and performance:

“You drop the catch, it’s amazing how many times you then go out and get nought. That just keeps adding more pressure, then your shoulders tighten up, you don’t keep as well, you get stiff, you don’t move. You go completely internal because you are ultimately standing out there panicking.”

Prior’s insight underscores the critical need for Smith to embrace the leadership aspect of his role while managing personal performance.