England’s Jamie Smith lit up the second Test against India at Birmingham with an explosive century that changed the course of the match. Scoring his hundred off just 80 balls, Smith now holds the record for the joint third fastest century for England in Test cricket, and notably, against India.
The innings came at a crucial time. England were struggling at 84 for 5, trailing far behind after India’s mammoth first-innings total of 587 runs. With the team staring down the barrel of a possible follow-on, Jamie Smith and Harry Brook joined forces to rescue the innings.
Smith’s counterattack was breathtaking. He is still batting on 133 off just 129 balls, hammering 16 fours and 3 sixes, and has brought much-needed stability and momentum back to England’s innings. His aggressive style not only shifted pressure off England but also stunned the Indian bowling lineup.
Harry Brook is also playing a key role, scoring a composed century from 137 balls, building a crucial partnership that may still keep England in the contest. The pair’s resilience under pressure was exactly what the side needed.
Earlier, India took full control of the match with a historic batting performance. Their captain smashed a career-best 269, leading his team to a towering total of 587, breaking multiple records along the way.
England still trailed by 286 runs, but with Jamie Smith still at the crease, hopes of avoiding the follow-on remain alive. His innings is already being hailed as one of the finest counterattacks in recent England Test history.
