Jamie Smith Blasts 80-Ball Century Before Lunch in Thrilling Edgbaston Test Comeback

Key Points

• Smith faced a hat-trick ball on arrival.
• Smith, alongside Harry Brook, transformed England’s innings from 84-5 to a much stronger position.
• His century placed him uniquely among cricketing legends.

ISLAMABAD: England’s wicketkeeper Jamie Smith delivered a dazzling counter-attacking masterclass on Friday in the second Test against India, smashing an 80-ball hundred before lunch on day three.

Smith’s explosive innings set a new world benchmark for the fastest century before lunch under the extraordinary circumstances of coming in with two wickets down in the morning session.

England found themselves in dire straits early in the day at 84-5, still trailing India’s imposing first innings total by over 500 runs. India had already dismantled England’s top order the previous day, and the carnage continued as Joe Root and Ben Stokes fell in successive balls in the second over of the morning, both dismissed by Mohammed Siraj.

Smith was called to the crease to face a hat-trick ball — a daunting challenge he met with aplomb, driving confidently through mid-off for four to quell the threat. From that moment, Smith and fellow aggressor Harry Brook mounted a fierce resistance, rapidly accelerating England’s innings.

While the innings started at a steady run rate of 3.95 after those early blows, the arrival of Smith and Brook changed the tempo dramatically. Smith was particularly relentless, punishing Prasidh Krishna’s sixth over of the innings with 23 runs, including a six and multiple crisp fours that electrified the Edgbaston crowd.

Smith’s half-century arrived swiftly off 43 balls, and he did not slow down. The next 50 runs came even quicker, off just 37 deliveries, culminating in a memorable hundred just minutes before lunch. Though he narrowly missed Gilbert Jessop’s England record of the fastest-ever Test hundred (76 balls), Smith’s innings was historic in its own right.

A unique record

The fastest hundred before lunch by a batsman who had come to the crease after two wickets had fallen in the morning session. In joining the elite list of players to reach centuries before lunch — a group featuring legendary names like Don Bradman, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Brian Lara, and AB de Villiers — Smith stands alone in achieving this under such challenging circumstances.

England’s innings, revitalised by Smith’s fearless stroke play, has injected fresh hope into the Test. As lunch was called, Smith’s commanding presence and attacking intent helped shift the momentum in England’s favour, putting England back on the front foot against a strong Indian bowling attack.

The stage is now set for an enthralling battle in this pivotal Test at Edgbaston, with Smith’s whirlwind hundred already the talk of the cricketing world. However, it appears the match is edging towards a draw, with India’s hopes of securing their maiden victory at Edgbaston hanging in the balance and facing a tough challenge.

List of Batters who have come in and scored centuries in the morning session of a Test match

By the end of the second session on Day 3, England had recovered to 328 for five, still trailing India’s imposing first innings total of 587 by 259 runs. At the crease, Harry Brook was unbeaten on 120, while Jamie Smith continued his impressive form with 151 runs, anchoring England’s fightback in this crucial Test match.

Match Summary

India: 587

England: 328/5

Day 3 – Session 2: England trail by 259 runs.