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After a crushing top-order failure and trailing by 503 runs at one stage, England found a glimmer of hope through a dazzling counterattack against India. The morning session of Day 3 at Edgbaston witnessed an audacious fightback led by Harry Brook and debutant wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith.
While Mohammed Siraj rocked the hosts with back-to-back dismissals of Joe Root and Ben Stokes in the same over, the duo of Brook and Smith launched a fearless counteroffensive. Scoring at over five an over, the sixth-wicket stand began to reshape the narrative, with Smith’s stroke-filled ton electrifying the crowd. By lunch, England were 249/5, still 338 runs behind but showing signs of life.
Jamie Smith dazzles with record-breaking century for England in morning blitz
Smith’s century was no ordinary knock—it was a high-octane demolition amidst chaos. Walking in with England reeling at 84/5, the pressure was enormous, but the young batter played as if oblivious to the scoreboard. Smith unfurled a barrage of attacking strokes right from the outset, pulling, driving, and lofting with confidence. He struck 14 boundaries and 3 sixes in a breathtaking 80-ball century, becoming the third-fastest English batter to a Test hundred.
In doing so, he joined the likes of Gilbert Jessop (76 balls, 1902) and Jonny Bairstow (77 balls, 2022). More remarkably, Smith became only the second batter ever to score a Test century before lunch against India, after AB de Villiers in 2010. His partnership with Brook flourished under pressure, and the duo added an unbeaten 165 runs in just 138 balls. Every shot radiated confidence, his lofted sixes, square drives, and flicks were delivered with elite control and intent. On a day India aimed to tighten the grip, Smith tore the script apart. For England, the debutant’s ton wasn’t just a milestone, it was a lifeline delivered at lightning speed.
Harry Brook and Smith revival lifts England after Siraj storm on Day 3 morning
Day 3 began with India in total command, and Siraj ensured that grip tightened further. In just one over, he removed Joe Root and Ben Stokes with successive deliveries, Root gloving a ball down the leg side and Stokes fending a vicious short delivery to Pant. At 84/5, England teetered on the brink.
But then came Brook’s poise and Smith’s explosion. Brook initially anchored while Smith counterpunched with calculated aggression. India’s bowlers, who had hunted relentlessly for two days, were suddenly under siege. The pair raced to 50, 100, and 150-run stands in a blur of boundaries and fearless strokeplay. Smith’s century before lunch stunned the hosts, while Brook edged toward his own milestone, reaching 91not out by the break. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar struggled for control, and the pacers were forced to retreat defensively. As England reached 249/5 in just 47 overs, they reminded everyone that Tests could turn quickly, even when hanging by a thread. It was India’s session to start, but England’s to finish.
Here’s how fans reacted:
Wow .. Jamie smith .. We have just witnessed a bit of genius .. if you walked into the ground and saw the fields being set you would think England were dominating this game .. another session like that and it’s game on ..
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan)
Proper counter attack by Jamie smith. Brilliant 💯.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan)
If you were watching just now, seeing Brook and Smith bat, and didn't know the score, you would be forgiven for thinking they were winning the game!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha)
Century in a session with the team at 84/5. Incredible from Jamie Smith.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh)
Astonishing innings from Jamie Smith. Ridiculous batting from that situation that he walked into
— Soorya Sesha (@sooryasesha7)
Jamie Smith might play 100 tests for England but this here today will remain his highest score until his retirement.
This bowling line up will never be able to take 20 wickets even if they get lucky like in this innings, wait until Carse scores a century.
— Shubham Dubey (@Massive_hit)
Your team’s in strife? No bother: just an 80-ball hundred before lunch from Jamie Smith.
— Lawrence Booth (@BoothCricket)
Right at this moment Jamie Smith's test batting average is 51.06
— Jonathan Bergdahl (@JonBergdahl)
It's been a very impressive start to Jamie Smith's Test career
— Werner (@Werries_)
What a ton from Jamie Smith. Proper counter attacking delight… this is what Bazball is about, rest is just chatter including moral victories!
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula)
Well batted Jamie Smith. As an individual Smith is the antithesis of the way he plays. Quiet, unassuming and reserved but a friendly individual. On the pitch, he is a beast! A splendid innings.
— Dan Whiting (@TheMiddleStump)
Tell you what, after Kyle Verreynne, Jamie Smith and Rishabh Pant are making a serious case for who is the 2nd best Keeper/Batter in tests.
— Dale (@ncakos316)
Joint 3rd fastest hundred for England in Test cricket 🔥
– Fabulous batting performance from Jamie Smith 👏
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
Also READ: ENG vs IND: Shubman Gill reveals Gautam Gambhir’s advice that sparked his highest Test score
