Jamie Smith’s Blazing 80-Ball Century Turns the Tide in IND vs ENG 2nd Test

Jamie Smith’s counter-attacking century has set England back in the match on Day 3 of the IND vs ENG 2nd Test at Edgbaston. Coming in under huge pressure, Smith’s explosive 80-ball hundred is now the joint-third fastest century by an English Test batter, as England moved to 249/5 at lunch, remaining 338 runs behind India.

An Impressive Fightback from 84/5

The day started in turmoil for England at 84 for 5, behind by a whopping 503 runs. The first session began in disarray, with Mohammed Siraj sending both Joe Root and Ben Stokes packing in consecutive deliveries. Root guided one down the leg side, and Stokes was done in by an angry short ball that clipped his gloves, his Test debut golden duck.

This was only the second time in England’s Test history that their leading six batsmen had achieved three ducks in an innings.
Jamie Smith Walks in on a Hat-Trick Ball

Into this chaos strode Jamie Smith, who was confronted with a hat-trick ball to start. Instead of just batting on, he hammered Siraj down the ground for four, a declaration shot that dictated the trajectory of the rest of his innings. At the end of the session, Smith was 102* unbeaten, touched with 17 boundaries.

Dominating the Morning: Smith and Brook’s Crucial Partnership

Smith’s hundred arrived amid an exhilarating 165-run partnership with Harry Brook, who also stood in for 91* off 109 balls at lunch. Brook, who began sedately on 30, came into his own as Smith let his full arsenal of strokes run free. The two scored 172 runs in 27 overs, the third-highest session tally yielded by India in Test cricket.

Smith’s Assault: Short Balls Punished, Spinners Dismantled

The game turned in his favor before the drinks break when Prasidh Krishna was asked to go short. Smith retaliated ruthlessly, smashing 23 runs in a single over, with four boundaries and a six. Even more miraculously, he blasted another six off the next over itself from Krishna, demonstrating total dominance over the short-ball tactic.

Smith did not limit himself to bashing the bowlers. He went after the spinners too. He hit Washington Sundar for two classy drives down the covers, and then Ravindra Jadeja for a couple of fours, one driven through point and the other deposited over the ground.

Fastest Century Record Eludes, But the Impact Is Immeasurable

Jamie Smith was once 84 off 62 balls and required only 16 runs from 9 balls to become England’s quickest Test century record held (apparently) by Gilbert Jessop. But with lunch looming, he wisely eased off.

Despite this, Smith reached his second Test century on the brink of lunch with two further boundaries, one straight, the other through midwicket, sending the Edgbaston crowd into ecstasy.

India Still Ahead, But Under Pressure

In spite of Smith’s fireworks, India remains far ahead in the IND vs ENG 2nd Test. The hosts will look to regroup after a forgettable session, keeping in mind that England is still behind by 338 runs.

But with Jamie Smith’s record-equalling hundred and the unbeaten stand with Harry Brook, England has gained momentum and an edge of hope in this high-pressure game.

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