On an electrifying Day 3 of the Edgbaston Test, England’s Jamie Smith and Harry Brook delivered a stunning counterattack that turned the tide after a precarious start against India. With Smith’s unbeaten 102 and Brook’s resilient 91 not out, England reached 249/5 by lunch, trailing India’s formidable 587 by 338 runs. Their unbroken 165-run sixth-wicket partnership not only steadied the ship but also injected hope into England’s campaign. This article dives into the thrilling session, highlighting the duo’s remarkable recovery, moments, and what lies ahead in this gripping Test match.
A Shaky Start for England
The morning session on Friday, July 4, began with England under immense pressure. India’s fiery pacer Mohammad Siraj struck early, dismissing two of England’s biggest batting stars, Joe Root and Ben Stokes, in consecutive deliveries during his first over. Root, attempting to flick a leg-side delivery, edged it to wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant, who took a sharp catch to his left. Stokes, facing his first ball, was undone by a vicious short-pitched delivery that climbed awkwardly, brushing the handle of his bat before Pant pouched it. With England reeling at 84/5 just 10 balls into the session, India seemed poised to dominate.
Siraj’s fiery spell, which saw him claim 3 wickets for 49 runs, exposed England’s vulnerabilities. The hosts were in dire straits, with their top order crumbling and India’s bowlers sensing a quick end to the innings. However, what followed was a masterclass in resilience and aggression, led by two of England’s rising stars, Jamie Smith and Harry Brook.
Jamie Smith’s Explosive Arrival
The arrival of Jamie Smith at the crease marked a turning point for England. The young wicketkeeper-batsman wasted no time in asserting himself, smashing the hat-trick ball from Siraj straight down the ground for a boundary. This bold stroke set the tone for England’s counterattack. Smith’s fearless approach brought much-needed urgency to the innings, as he capitalized on India’s lean slip cordon, which allowed England to pick up easy runs through the gaps.
Smith’s innings was a blend of elegance and aggression. He raced to his half-century in just 38 balls, punishing Prasidh Krishna in a remarkable 23-run over that included four boundaries and a six. His ability to pick the length early and dispatch short-pitched deliveries to the ropes showcased his composure under pressure. By the drinks break, Smith was on 49, nearly catching up with his partner Brook, who had reached his fifty in 72 balls. Smith’s relentless scoring rate kept India’s bowlers on the back foot, as he laid the foundation for England’s recovery.
Harry Brook’s Steady Support
While Smith provided the fireworks, Harry Brook played the anchor role with equal brilliance. Brook eased into his innings, finding regular boundaries off India’s pacers with his trademark cover drives. His half-century, achieved in 72 balls, was a display of controlled aggression, with a particularly beautiful drive through the covers that raced away for three runs. Brook’s ability to rotate the strike and pick gaps kept the scoreboard ticking, complementing Smith’s explosive batting.
Together, the duo forged a 165-run partnership that came off just 90 deliveries, a testament to their attacking mindset. Their synergy was evident as they punished loose deliveries and rotated the strike intelligently, frustrating India’s bowlers. Brook’s composure under pressure and his ability to adapt to the situation made him the perfect foil for Smith’s aggression, ensuring England’s recovery gained momentum with every over.
England’s Remarkable Recovery
Despite the early setbacks, England plundered 83 runs in the first hour of the session, a remarkable feat considering the loss of Root and Stokes. The 100-run mark for the Smith-Brook partnership came in just 90 balls, highlighting their dominance. Smith continued his onslaught, welcoming Washington Sundar’s spin with back-to-back drives through extra cover. He then took on Ravindra Jadeja, smashing a four and a six in the following over to keep the pressure on India.
By the stroke of lunch, Smith had reached his century in just 80 balls, becoming England’s joint third-fastest centurion in Test history. His 80-ball fifty, achieved with consecutive fours off Jadeja, saw him share the record with Brook, who was equally impressive. Brook, just nine runs shy of his own century, went to lunch unbeaten on 91, ensuring England ended the session on a high. The hosts added 172 runs in a fast-paced session, transforming their fortunes from a precarious 84/5 to a more respectable 249/5.
Moments That Defined the Session
Several moments stood out in England’s stunning fightback. Siraj’s double strike in the opening over set the stage for a potential collapse, but Smith’s immediate response with a boundary off the hat-trick ball shifted the momentum. His 23-run over against Prasidh Krishna was a game-changer, as it not only boosted England’s scoring rate but also dented India’s confidence. Brook’s steady accumulation, particularly his elegant cover drives, ensured England maintained a healthy run rate while avoiding further losses.
India’s decision to introduce spin from both ends backfired, as Smith and Brook capitalized on the change in bowling. Smith’s aggressive approach against Sundar and Jadeja, coupled with Brook’s ability to rotate the strike, kept India’s fielders on their toes. The lean slip cordon, a tactical error by India, allowed England to score freely through the off-side, further aiding their recovery.
India’s Bowling Struggles
India’s bowlers, despite their early success, struggled to contain Smith and Brook. Siraj, the pick of the bowlers with 3/49, was unable to maintain his early intensity as England’s batsmen grew in confidence. Prasidh Krishna bore the brunt of Smith’s aggression, leaking runs at an alarming rate. The introduction of spin, while a tactical move to slow the scoring, proved ineffective as Smith and Brook dispatched the spinners with ease.
India’s fielding lapses, particularly the thin slip cordon, allowed England to capitalize on scoring opportunities. The absence of a packed off-side field gave Smith and Brook the freedom to play their shots, resulting in a flurry of boundaries. India will need to regroup and devise a new strategy in the second session to break this formidable partnership and regain control of the match.
What Lies Ahead for England?
As England head into the afternoon session, the focus will be on Smith and Brook to extend their partnership and reduce the deficit. With England still trailing by 338 runs, the duo’s ability to bat through the session will be crucial. Brook, just nine runs away from his century, will aim to reach the milestone early, while Smith will look to continue his aggressive approach.
India, on the other hand, will be desperate to break this partnership and expose England’s lower order. Siraj’s ability to generate bounce and movement makes him India’s biggest threat, but the spinners will need to step up to contain the run flow. The pitch, which offered assistance to the pacers early on, may continue to play a role, making it imperative for India to strike quickly.
Why This Partnership Matters
The Smith-Brook partnership is more than just a recovery; it’s a statement of intent from England’s young brigade. With senior players like Root and Stokes falling early, the responsibility fell on two relatively inexperienced batsmen to rescue the innings. Their ability to counterattack under pressure not only showcased their talent but also highlighted England’s depth in batting.
This partnership has also shifted the momentum in England’s favor, putting India on the back foot after a dominant start. The psychological edge gained from plundering 172 runs in a session cannot be understated, as it has given England a fighting chance to challenge India’s massive first-innings total.
Day 3 Highlights: England vs India, 2nd Test at Edgbaston
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Match Situation | England 249/5 at Lunch on Day 3, trailing India’s 587 by 338 runs |
| Session Momentum | England scored 172 runs in the morning session for no wickets lost |
| Star Performers | Jamie Smith (102* off 80 balls), Harry Brook (91* off 125 balls) |
| Sixth-Wicket Partnership | 165* runs off just 90 balls (Unbroken) |
| Jamie Smith’s Milestone | Fastest Test century at Edgbaston (3rd joint-fastest by an English batter) |
| Harry Brook’s Contribution | Controlled 91*, brought stability after top-order collapse |
| Mohammad Siraj’s Spell | 3 wickets for 49 runs, dismissed Root and Stokes in same over |
| Turning Point | Smith hit a boundary on Siraj’s hat-trick ball, signaling the counterattack |
| India’s Bowling Concern | Prasidh Krishna expensive; spinners Jadeja & Sundar ineffective |
| Fielding Tactics | India’s lean slip cordon allowed England easy boundaries through gaps |
| Over of the Session | Prasidh Krishna’s 23-run over — Smith took 4 fours and 1 six |
| Partnership Significance | Saved England from collapse, turned momentum, revived crowd energy |
| Next Milestone to Watch | Brook nearing century, England’s deficit reduction in second session |
| Pitch Behavior | Flattened out in the morning, offering less seam but rewarding strokeplay |
| India’s Next Steps | Need quick breakthroughs, better slip fielding, rethink spin strategy |
Conclusion
Day 3 of the Edgbaston Test will be remembered for Jamie Smith and Harry Brook’s heroic fightback. From a precarious 84/5, England’s recovery to 249/5 was nothing short of spectacular, driven by Smith’s explosive 102 not out and Brook’s composed 91 not out. Their 165-run partnership has kept England in the contest, setting the stage for an intriguing battle in the sessions to come. As the Test match hangs in the balance, cricket fans can expect more drama and excitement from these two talented batsmen.
Brief Scores: England 249/5 (Jamie Smith 102*, Harry Brook 91*; Mohammad Siraj 3-49) trail India 587 by 338 runs.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): Jamie Smith and Harry Brook’s Partnership in the Edgbaston Test
Q1. What was the highlight of Day 3 in the India vs England 2nd Test at Edgbaston?
A: The standout moment was the unbeaten 165-run sixth-wicket partnership between Jamie Smith (102*) and Harry Brook (91*), which helped England recover from 84/5 to 249/5 by lunch. Their counterattack completely shifted the momentum of the match.
Q2. How significant was Jamie Smith’s century in the context of the match?
A: Jamie Smith’s 80-ball century was one of the fastest by an English player in Test history and showcased his fearless intent under pressure. It not only stabilized England’s innings but also sent a strong message about the team’s depth in batting.
Q3. How did Harry Brook contribute to England’s recovery?
A: Harry Brook played a composed and mature knock, anchoring the innings with a fluent 91* off 125 balls. His ability to rotate strike and build pressure-free partnerships made him the ideal complement to Jamie Smith’s aggressive batting.
Q4. What made India’s bowlers ineffective after a strong start?
A: Despite Mohammad Siraj’s fiery spell (3/49), India’s bowlers lost momentum due to Smith and Brook’s attacking approach. The spinners struggled to contain runs, and a lean slip cordon gave away easy boundaries, reducing fielding pressure.
Q5. What was the turning point in England’s innings?
A: The turning point came when Jamie Smith hit a boundary off Mohammad Siraj’s hat-trick ball. This bold stroke shifted the pressure back onto India and set the tone for a high-scoring, attacking partnership with Harry Brook.
Q6. Why is this partnership between Smith and Brook being praised?
A: The partnership is being hailed for its blend of composure and aggression. With senior players like Root and Stokes dismissed early, the young duo showed immense character by guiding England out of a potential collapse in hostile conditions.
Q7. What records or milestones did Jamie Smith achieve in this innings?
A: Jamie Smith equaled the joint third-fastest Test century by an English player. He also became the fastest centurion in a Test match at Edgbaston, marking his innings as one of the most impactful debut efforts in recent times.
Q8. How did India respond after the big partnership developed?
A: India struggled to regain control after the partnership flourished. Their bowlers were unable to generate breakthroughs, and field placements did not support attacking lines, allowing England to dominate the session with 172 runs.
Q9. What impact does this partnership have on the overall Test match?
A: The Smith-Brook partnership has rebalanced the contest. From a near-collapse to a strong total, England now has the chance to reduce the deficit and build pressure on India, especially if the lower order contributes in the next session.
Q10. What should fans watch for in the upcoming session?
A: All eyes will be on Harry Brook as he approaches his century and on how India responds to break the ongoing partnership. England’s strategy to narrow the deficit and India’s bowling tactics will define the next phase of the Test.