ENG vs IND 2025: Cricket fraternity salutes Jamie Smith after exhilarating ton in Edgbaston Test

Jamie Smith. (Photo Source: Jio Hotstar)

Jamie Smith and Harry Brook have played counter-attacking cricket of the highest order on Day 3 of the second Test between India and England at Edgbaston, Birmingham, on Friday, July 4. It seemed that the two right-handed batters were in a race to get to a three-figure score. While Brook faced more deliveries, it was Smith who got to the milestone before him.

Smith took just 80 balls to bring up his century. He got to the landmark in the 47th over, sweeping Ravindra Jadeja for a boundary through the mid-wicket region. This turned out to be the joint-fastest century for England in Test matches. Smith’s century came in the last over of the morning session in which England amassed 172 runs at a staggering run rate of 6.37.

England started proceedings on Day 3 at 77/3, trailing India’s first-innings total by 510 runs. The Three Lions needed overnight batters Harry Brook and Joe Root to step up and form a partnership of substance to give them hopes of a comeback. However, Mohammed Siraj dismissed Root and Ben Stokes off consecutive deliveries in the second over of the day as England were reeling at 84/5.

While Indian fans were rejoicing in the stands, Smith joined Brook and the duo took the England bowlers, especially Prasidh Krishna, to the cleaners. Krishna conceded 23 runs in an over, getting hit for four fours and a solitary six.

At Lunch break, England reached 249/5, with Smith batting on 102, while Brook having added 91 runs to his name. Their partnership has yielded 165 runs off 154 balls. England need just another 139 runs to avoid the follow-on.

Meanwhile, X has been lit up by Smith’s enterprising century on Day 3 in Birmingham:

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