In the second Test match at Edgbaston, Jamie Smith’s 184 runs in the Edgbaston Test turned the spotlight on a new star in English cricket. At just 23, Smith stepped up in a pressure situation and produced one of the finest innings by an English wicketkeeper. His fearless batting helped England bounce back in a match where they looked completely out of the contest.
England was in big trouble when Jamie Smith came out to bat. The team had already lost 5 wickets for just 84 runs. India had scored a huge 587 runs in their first innings, and England looked like they were heading toward a collapse. Jamie Smith arrived at the crease when England was under pressure. He had to face a hat-trick ball on his first delivery. But instead of playing it safe, he confidently hit it for four. That moment changed the game.
Soon after, Smith was joined by Harry Brook at the crease. Together, they built a huge partnership of 303 runs for the sixth wicket. Brook played a fine knock of 158 runs, while Smith kept scoring quickly from the other end. The Indian bowlers had no answers to their brilliant batting. They played shots all around the ground and kept the scoreboard ticking.
Smith reached his century in just 80 balls, which is one of the fastest ever by an English player in Test cricket. He didn’t stop there; he kept going and ended the innings with an unbeaten 184 runs. Thanks to his batting, England reached a total of 407 runs, giving them some hope in the match.
Records Jamie Smith Broke:
Jamie Smith’s performance wasn’t just helpful, it was historic. Here’s what he achieved:
- Highest score in Test cricket by an England wicketkeeper (beating Alec Stewart’s 173).
- Fastest century (in just 80 balls) in a Test match at Edgbaston.
- Most runs scored by an English player batting at No. 7 or lower.
- England’s second-highest sixth-wicket partnership in Test matches.
England’s Batting Scorecard – 1st Innings
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s/6s |
| Zak Crawley | 19 | 30 | 3 |
| Ben Duckett | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Ollie Pope | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Joe Root | 22 | 46 | 2 |
| Ben Stokes (c) | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Harry Brook | 158 | 234 | 18 |
| Jamie Smith (wk) | 184* | 207 | 25 |
| Chris Woakes | 5 | 17 | 1 |
| Brydon Carse | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Josh Tongue | 0 | 2 | – |
| Shoaib Bashir | 0 | 2 | – |
Even after this great performance, India still had the lead. England was behind by 180 runs. Earlier in the match, Shubman Gill put on an incredible show, scoring a whopping 269 runs for India, which helped them set a formidable total. But thanks to the efforts of Smith and Brook, England managed to avoid a follow-on and kept their hopes alive in the game. Both teams still have a shot in the upcoming innings! India holds the advantage, but England’s fightback has made the game interesting again. Fans can expect more excitement in the final stages.
In conclusion, Jamie Smith’s 184 runs in the Edgbaston Test were more than just a personal milestone; it was a match-saving masterpiece. Coming in when England was falling apart, Smith’s calm yet aggressive approach turned the tide and gave the hosts a fighting chance. Supported brilliantly by Harry Brook, his record-breaking knock not only lifted the team to a respectable total but also wrote a new chapter in English Test history. As the series continues, Smith’s performance will be remembered as one of the standout moments of the summer.
