Harry Brook Hails Jamie Smith’s Record-Breaking Knock as Duo Rescue England with 303-Run Stand Against India

Today at Edgbaston: Brook and Smith script historic sixth-wicket partnership as England bounce back from 84/5 to post 407; India leads by 244 runs at stumps on Day 3

Birmingham [UK], July 5: England batter Harry Brook heaped praise on wicketkeeper Jamie Smith after their record-shattering 303-run partnership on Day 3 of the second Test against India at Edgbaston. Coming together with the team reeling at 84/5, Brook and Smith engineered a stunning comeback, lifting England to 407 all out, and injecting life back into their first innings. Brook, who scored a commanding 158, credited Smith’s fearless batting as the key factor in shifting the momentum in England’s favor.

ALSO READ: Mohammed Siraj’s Six-Wicket Haul Powers India to 180-Run Lead in Edgbaston Test

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Brook and Smith’s Rescue Act: A Bazball Masterclass

In a dazzling display of England’s aggressive “Bazball” style, the Brook-Smith stand not only revived England’s innings but also rewrote multiple records. Brook described the partnership as “good fun” and applauded Smith’s confidence under pressure.

“Obviously it was good fun being out there with Smith, he’s a phenomenal player,” Brook said at the post-match presentation. “The way he came out of the blocks today and put pressure back on their bowlers was phenomenal. He tried to change the momentum back in our favour, and it worked for a long period of time.”

Their 303-run stand now ranks as:

• The third-highest sixth-wicket or lower partnership for England in Tests
• The third 300+ partnership for England against India across all wickets
• Only the third 300+ stand for the sixth wicket or lower in all of Test history after the team was under 100 runs at five down

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Jamie Smith’s 184: A Knock for the Ages*

Jamie Smith’s unbeaten 184 not only anchored England’s recovery but shattered several long-standing records:

• Highest-ever Test score by an England wicketkeeper, surpassing Alec Stewart’s 173 (1997)
• Highest score from No. 7 or lower for England in Test history, overtaking KS Ranjitsinhji’s 175 (1897)
• Brought up his century in just 80 balls, equalling the third-fastest Test hundred by an England batter — a feat previously achieved by Brook himself against Pakistan in 2022

Brook, visibly in awe, said:

“It was awesome, so good to watch from the other end. I felt like he could hit a four or six every ball. I was just trying to get him on strike.”

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India’s Bowling Response: Siraj’s Six-Fer, Akash Deep’s Breakthroughs

Despite England’s counterattack, Mohammed Siraj led India’s charge with a fiery spell of 6/70, while Akash Deep chipped in with 4 wickets, ensuring India secured a 180-run first-innings lead.

At stumps, India had moved to 64/1 in their second innings, with KL Rahul (28)* and Karun Nair (7)* at the crease. The visitors now hold a 244-run lead, having earlier posted 587 in the first innings, powered by Shubman Gill’s 269 and Ravindra Jadeja’s 89.

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Brief Scores:

• India 1st Innings: 587 (Shubman Gill 269, Ravindra Jadeja 89; Shoaib Bashir 3/167)
• England 1st Innings: 407 (Jamie Smith 184*, Harry Brook 158; Mohammed Siraj 6/70, Akash Deep 4/99)
• India 2nd Innings: 64/1 at stumps (KL Rahul 28*, Karun Nair 7*; Josh Tongue 1/12)
• India leads by 244 runs

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With India in a commanding position heading into Day 4 and England’s top-order vulnerability exposed once again, all eyes will be on how the pitch behaves and whether India can press for a win or if England can mount yet another fightback.