Smith's lightning century rescues England after horror start against India
Cricket - Second Test - England v India - Edgbaston Cricket Ground, Birmingham, Britain - July 4, 2025 England's Jamie Smith celebrates after reaching his century Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs
BIRMINGHAM, England - Jamie Smith smashed England's third-fastest test century to drag the hosts back from the brink against India after a nightmare start on day three of the second test had captain Ben Stokes fall for a first-ball duck at Edgbaston on Friday.
Resuming on their overnight score of 77-3, England slumped to 84-5 after losing Joe Root and Stokes in consecutive deliveries in the day's second over from Mohammed Siraj.
But Smith's blistering 80-ball hundred and Harry Brook's unbeaten 91 powered them to 249-5 at lunch.
The pair's unbeaten 165-run partnership off just 154 balls transformed England's fortunes as they trail India by 338 runs, with Smith reaching his second test century in the last over before the break with two boundaries off Ravindra Jadeja.
Siraj delivered the early hammer blows, dismissing Root for 22 when he flicked the ball down the leg side, only to direct it into the safe hands of Rishabh Pant.
On the very next ball, Stokes made a feeble attempt to nudge a short delivery but edged the ball to the Indian keeper.
His golden duck meant three of England's top six were dismissed without scoring, following Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope's ducks off consecutive deliveries from Akash Deep late on day two.
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But Brook and Smith quickly seized control, with England accelerating to over five runs per over as both batters brought up their half-centuries.
While Brook looked to anchor the innings, Smith survived the hat-trick delivery and then scored at over a run a ball to reach his milestone in style in a pure display of counter-attacking cricket.
They particularly targeted India's third seamer Prasidh Krishna, who conceded 23 runs in one over, while Smith welcomed Washington Sundar into the attack with two consecutive boundaries through extra cover. REUTERS
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Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox BIRMINGHAM, England - England's Jamie Smith and Harry Brook turned Edgbaston into their personal playground as their unbeaten 271-run partnership crushed the India bowling attack's spirit on Friday and cut the tourists' lead to 232 runs at tea on day three. After England's horror start saw them slump to 84-5, the pair transformed the innings in a masterclass of counter-attacking cricket, guiding the hosts to 355-5 in a fruitless second session for India's bowlers. Brook was batting on 140 not out while Smith was unbeaten on 157 at tea. Brook had endured a heartbreaking dismissal on 99 in the first test victory at Headingley, but this time there was no stopping him as he and Smith looked completely at ease in building their sixth-wicket stand. The 26-year-old Brook brought up his ninth test century in the second session with a boundary, raising his bat and helmet to the crowd before pointing his bat at the heavens, dedicating his hundred to his late grandmother Pauline who died in March. Smith, who had smashed England's third-fastest test century before lunch, continued his rampage by passing 150 for the first time in his test career. Fortune favoured Brook as he even scored with the back of his bat when he attempted a low pull shot and the ball went over Indian wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant's head for four. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore PAP has begun search for new candidates; PM Wong hopes to deploy them earlier ahead of next GE Singapore 20 retired MPs spoke up on many issues in Parliament, helped successors prepare for new role: PM Wong Singapore $3b money laundering case: 9 financial institutions handed $27.45m in MAS penalties over breaches Singapore Banks tighten vigilance and processes following $3b money laundering case Singapore Seller's stamp duty hike surprises some amid moderating property market, but is ultimately prudent Singapore Trilateral work group formed to address allegations of foreigners illegally taking on platform work Singapore Power distribution system in renewal project may be linked to Bukit Panjang LRT disruption: SMRT Singapore Rise in number of scam e-mails claiming to be from Cardinal William Goh: Catholic Church It was a long toil in the sun for India, who had started the day perfectly when Mohammed Siraj dismissed Joe Root and captain Ben Stokes in consecutive deliveries in the day's second over. Stokes's golden duck, his first in 200 test innings, meant three of England's top six were dismissed without scoring following Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope's ducks off consecutive deliveries from Akash Deep late on day two. But from that moment of promise, it became England's day as Smith and Brook worked together to bring the hosts closer to a big score to avoid the follow-on. India's frustration also boiled over as they misfielded on a number of occasions while attempts to change the ball, claiming it had lost its shape, were denied by the umpires. REUTERS
