England's Remarkable Fightback Against India: Jamie Smith Shines
A Stunning Comeback at Edgbaston
After suffering a significant collapse in their top order and trailing by 503 runs at one stage, England found a glimmer of hope with a spirited counter-attack against India. The third day at Edgbaston witnessed a courageous resurgence led by Harry Brook and wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.
Mohammed Siraj dealt a heavy blow to the hosts by taking the wickets of Joe Root and Ben Stokes in consecutive deliveries. However, Brook and Smith responded with an aggressive counterattack, scoring at over five runs per over. Their sixth-wicket partnership began to shift the momentum, with Smith's impressive century electrifying the crowd. By lunch, England had reached 249/5, still 338 runs behind but showing signs of life.
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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 .. #ENGvIND
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) July 4, 2025
Proper counter attack by Jamie Smith. Brilliant 💯.
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) July 4, 2025
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) July 4, 2025
Century in a session with the team at 84/5. Incredible from Jamie Smith.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh) July 4, 2025
Astonishing innings from Jamie Smith. Ridiculous batting from that situation that he walked into #ENGvIND
— Soorya Sesha (@sooryasesha7) July 4, 2025
Jamie Smith might play 100 tests for England but this here today will remain his highest score until his retirement.
— Shubham Dubey (@Massive_hit) July 4, 2025
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.
Right at this moment Jamie Smith's test batting average is 51.06#bbccricket
— Jonathan Bergdahl (@JonBergdahl) July 4, 2025
Entering the game at a precarious 84/5, Smith faced immense pressure but played with remarkable composure. He began his innings with a flurry of aggressive shots, showcasing his ability to pull, drive, and loft the ball with confidence. His explosive 80-ball century included 14 boundaries and 3 sixes, making him the third-fastest English player to reach a Test hundred.
By achieving this feat, he joined the ranks of Gilbert Jessop (76 balls, 1902) and Jonny Bairstow (77 balls, 2022). Notably, Smith became only the second player in history to score a Test century before lunch against India, following AB de Villiers in 2010. The partnership between Smith and Brook flourished under pressure, adding an impressive 165 runs off just 138 balls.
Every shot was executed with precision, as his sixes, square cuts, and drives were delivered with exceptional skill. On a day when India aimed to tighten their grip, Smith turned the tide. His century was not just a personal achievement but a crucial lifeline for England, delivered with remarkable speed.