Stats: Jamie Smith takes fewest balls to 1000 Test runs among wicketkeeper-batters

Jamie Smith registered a 56-ball-51-run knock on Day 2 of the third Test of the ongoing five-match series between England and India. This innings marked a significant milestone attained by the young English wicketkeeper-batter. He became the quickest (in terms of balls) wicketkeeper to get to the 1000-run mark in red-ball internationals, overtaking the record previously held by former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who did so in 1311 balls.

Jamie got to the landmark on the first ball of the 87th over of England’s first innings with the help of a square drive past point. Prior to the current match, he had registered 997 runs in 12 Tests (20 innings) at an average and strike rate of 58.64 and 76.81, respectively.

Fewest balls taken for 1000 Test runs by wicketkeeper-batters

Jamie’s 106-minute innings comprised of six fours. He was dismissed shortly after getting to his half-century. His knock and 84-run stand for the eighth wicket along with Brydon Carse were the key to England managing to post 387 on the board. The Surrey-born has been in top form in the series so far. Including this innings, he has scored a total of 407 runs in five innings at an average of 135.66.

The hosts’ first innings ended on 387 in 112.3 overs. Former skipper Joe Root (104 off 199) top-scored with his 11th Test ton against India. An 84-run stand for the eighth wicket between Jamie Smith (51 off 56) and Brydon Carse (56 off 83) was vital for England to accumulate the aforementioned score. Jasprit Bumrah (5/74 in 27 overs) picked up his 15th five-wicket haul in the red-ball format.

Mohammed Siraj (2/85 in 23.3 overs) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (2/62 in 17 overs) shared four wickets between them. The aggregate of 33 overs between Akash Deep (0/92 in 23 overs) and Washington Sundar (0/21 in 10 overs) yielded no breakthroughs for the Indian team.