Jamie Smith’s explosive 80-ball century spearheaded a remarkable comeback for England on Day 3 of the second Test at Edgbaston, powering them out of a precarious situation.
England’s Early Morning Scare
The third day began with a shock for England fans. Just two overs into the play, India’s Mohammed Siraj delivered a devastating double blow, dismissing star batsmen Joe Root and captain Ben Stokes on consecutive deliveries.
This left England reeling and looking vulnerable, a stark contrast to their usual aggressive approach, and set the stage for a tense opening session.
Jamie Smith Steps Up
Walking into the cauldron of a hat-trick ball, wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith showed immediate intent, drilling his first delivery through mid-off for a confident boundary. This set the tone for an innings that would completely change the momentum.
Smith then unleashed a breathtaking assault, particularly targeting Indian pacer Prasidh Krishna. He plundered 23 runs from a single over, including a barrage of fours and a towering six, reaching his fifty in a blistering 43 balls.
A Game-Changing Partnership
Smith’s aggression was contagious. He combined forces with Harry Brook, forming a whirlwind sixth-wicket partnership that put India on the back foot. Their hundred-run stand came up in just 89 balls, with Smith contributing a dominant 64 of those runs.
This rapid partnership not only stemmed the flow of wickets but also shifted the pressure firmly back onto the Indian bowlers, showcasing England’s characteristic “Bazball” philosophy in action.
Match Context and Series Battle
This incredible fightback from England mirrors their performance in the first Test at Headingley, where they clinched a five-wicket victory despite being behind for much of the match. England currently leads the five-match series 1-0.
In this Edgbaston Test, India had posted a formidable first innings total of 587. Shubman Gill was the architect of their innings, scoring a colossal 269 and building significant partnerships with Ravindra Jadeja (89) and Washington Sundar (42).
After their strong batting display, India managed to claim three English wickets before stumps on Day 2, setting up what promised to be a challenging Day 3 for the hosts.
- Jamie Smith scored his second Test century in just 80 balls.
- England recovered from losing Joe Root and Ben Stokes on consecutive deliveries.
- Smith and Harry Brook forged a rapid 100-run partnership.
- India had posted a massive 587 in their first innings, led by Shubman Gill’s 269.
Smith’s heroics have now set the stage for a captivating continuation of the Test, further highlighting England’s resilient and aggressive approach in the series.
