IND vs ENG 2nd TEST Day-3: Jamie Smith Scores Joint 3rd Fastest Century by an English Batter in Tests

Smith reached the milestone in 80 balls, joining harry brook in the list. The fastest century by an english batter is by GL Jessop in 76 balls in 1902.

4th July 2025 at 5:53 PM

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ENG vs IND 2nd TEST Day-2: Jamie Smith Scores Joint 3rd Fastest Century by an English Batter in Tests

[By Our Correspondent]

Birmingham, July 4, 2025: Jamie Smith’s scintillating 102 not out off just 80 balls powered England to 249/5 at lunch on Day 3, though they still trail India by 338 runs in the Edgbaston Test. Partnered by Harry Brook’s unbeaten 91, Smith’s rapid ton in the final over of the morning session kept England in the fight. India’s bowlers, led by Mohammed Siraj, struck early, dismissing Joe Root (22) and Ben Stokes (0) in consecutive deliveries, but Smith and Brook’s aggressive counterattack wrested momentum. With Jasprit Bumrah absent, India’s attack, including Akash Deep and Siraj, faces a daunting task to break the duo, especially Brook, who dominated bowlers in the previous match.

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India’s bowlers had earlier set the tone on Day 2, with Akash Deep, stepping in for Bumrah, removing Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope in quick succession. Siraj compounded England’s woes by dismissing Zak Crawley, while Brook survived two close calls an lbw appeal on 1 and a near-chop-on against Prasidh Krishna. By stumps on Day 2, Brook’s attacking 30 not out and Root’s steady 18 had steadied England’s ship.

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India’s commanding position stems from their massive first-innings total of 587, driven by captain Shubman Gill’s historic 269. Gill’s marathon knock surpassed Virat Kohli’s 254 against South Africa in 2019, becoming the highest score by an Indian Test captain, and eclipsed Sachin Tendulkar’s 241 in Sydney as the highest by an Indian batter outside Asia.

Also read: India Dominates England on 2nd Test: Bowlers Put Team India On Top At Edgbaston After Shubman Gill’s Marathon 269

Resuming Day 2 at 310/5, India recovered from a shaky 211/5 thanks to a 203-run stand between Gill and Ravindra Jadeja (89), who fell just before lunch after gloving a Josh Tongue bouncer. India’s lower order, often a concern, held firm with Washington Sundar’s 42 in a 144-run partnership with Gill before Joe Root dismissed him. With India’s bowlers now tasked with backing up their batters’ dominance, the stage is set for a gripping contest as England’s resilient pair looks to close the gap.