After a crushing top-order failure and trailing by 503 runs at one stage, England discovered a glimmer of hope by way of a blinding counterattack in opposition to India. The morning session of Day 3 at Edgbaston witnessed an audacious fightback led by Harry Brook and debutant wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith.
Whereas Mohammed Siraj rocked the hosts with back-to-back dismissals of Joe Root and Ben Stokes in the identical over, the duo of Brook and Smith launched a fearless counteroffensive. Scoring at over 5 an over, the sixth-wicket stand started to reshape the narrative, with Smith’s stroke-filled ton electrifying the gang. By lunch, England had been 249/5, nonetheless 338 runs behind however exhibiting indicators of life.
Jamie Smith dazzles with record-breaking century for England in morning blitz
Smith’s century was no strange knock—it was a high-octane demolition amidst chaos. Strolling in with England reeling at 84/5, the strain was huge, however the younger batter performed as if oblivious to the scoreboard. Smith unfurled a barrage of attacking strokes proper from the outset, pulling, driving, and lofting with confidence. He struck 14 boundaries and three sixes in a wide ranging 80-ball century, turning into the third-fastest English batter to a Take a look at hundred.
In doing so, he joined the likes of Gilbert Jessop (76 balls, 1902) and Jonny Bairstow (77 balls, 2022). Extra remarkably, Smith grew to become solely the second batter ever to attain a Take a look at century earlier than lunch in opposition to India, after AB de Villiers in 2010. His partnership with Brook flourished underneath strain, and the duo added an unbeaten 165 runs in simply 138 balls. Each shot radiated confidence, his lofted sixes, sq. drives, and flicks had been delivered with elite management and intent. On a day India aimed to tighten the grip, Smith tore the script aside. For England, the debutant’s ton wasn’t only a milestone, it was a lifeline delivered at lightning velocity.
Harry Brook and Smith revival lifts England after Siraj storm on Day 3 morning
Day 3 started with India in whole command, and Siraj ensured that grip tightened additional. In only one over, he eliminated Joe Root and Ben Stokes with successive deliveries, Root gloving a ball down the leg facet and Stokes fending a vicious quick supply to Pant. At 84/5, England teetered on the brink.
However then got here Brook’s poise and Smith’s explosion. Brook initially anchored whereas Smith counterpunched with calculated aggression. India’s bowlers, who had hunted relentlessly for 2 days, had been abruptly underneath siege. The pair raced to 50, 100, and 150-run stands in a blur of boundaries and fearless strokeplay. Smith’s century earlier than lunch surprised the hosts, whereas Brook edged towards his personal milestone, reaching 91not out by the break. Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar struggled for management, and the pacers had been pressured to retreat defensively. As England reached 249/5 in simply 47 overs, they reminded everybody that Exams may flip shortly, even when hanging by a thread. It was India’s session to start out, however England’s to complete.
Additionally WATCH: ENG vs IND : Mohammed Siraj breathes fire with a stunning over to dismiss Joe Root and Ben Stokes | Edgbaston Test, Day 3
Right here’s how followers reacted:
Wow .. Jamie smith .. Now we have simply witnessed a little bit of genius .. for those who walked into the bottom and noticed the fields being set you’d suppose England had been dominating this sport .. one other session like that and it’s sport on .. #ENGvIND
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 4, 2025
Correct counter assault by Jamie smith. Sensible 💯.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) July 4, 2025
For those who had been watching simply now, seeing Brook and Smith bat, and did not know the rating, you’d be forgiven for pondering they had been successful the sport!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) July 4, 2025
Century in a session with the staff at 84/5. Unimaginable from Jamie Smith.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) July 4, 2025
Astonishing innings from Jamie Smith. Ridiculous batting from that scenario that he walked into #ENGvIND
— Soorya Sesha (@sooryasesha7) July 4, 2025
Jamie Smith would possibly play 100 exams for England however this right here at present will stay his highest rating till his retirement.
This bowling line up won’t ever be capable to take 20 wickets even when they get fortunate like on this innings, wait till Carse scores a century.
— Shubham Dubey (@Massive_hit) July 4, 2025
Your staff’s in strife? No trouble: simply an 80-ball hundred earlier than lunch from Jamie Smith.
— Lawrence Sales space (@BoothCricket) July 4, 2025
Proper at this second Jamie Smith’s take a look at batting common is 51.06#bbccricket
— Jonathan Bergdahl (@JonBergdahl) July 4, 2025
It has been a really spectacular begin to Jamie Smith’s Take a look at profession pic.twitter.com/e1hPsjnvmY
— Werner (@Werries_) July 4, 2025
What a ton from Jamie Smith. Correct counter attacking delight… that is what Bazball is about, relaxation is simply chatter together with ethical victories! #EngvInd
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) July 4, 2025
Effectively batted Jamie Smith. As a person Smith is the antithesis of the best way he performs. Quiet, unassuming and reserved however a pleasant particular person. On the pitch, he’s a beast! A splendid innings.
— Dan Whiting (@TheMiddleStump) July 4, 2025
Inform you what, after Kyle Verreynne, Jamie Smith and Rishabh Pant are making a critical case for who’s the 2nd greatest Keeper/Batter in exams.
— Dale (@ncakos316) July 4, 2025
Joint third quickest hundred for England in Take a look at cricket 🔥
– Fabulous batting efficiency from Jamie Smith 👏#Cricket #jamiesmith #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/pTjdGHtchk
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) July 4, 2025
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