Birmingham, July 4, 2025 – England mounted a spirited resistance on Day 3 of the second Test, thanks to a landmark partnership between Jamie Smith and Harry Brook, but India still retained a firm grip on the match at Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Resuming their innings at 84/5 in reply to India’s massive 587-run total, England were in deep trouble. However, Jamie Smith (184*) and Harry Brook (158) stitched together a record-breaking 303-run partnership for the sixth wicket, lifting the hosts to a respectable 407 before the tail collapsed. Their stunning counterattack ensured England avoided the follow-on and reignited hopes of a comeback.
Smith’s innings was a masterclass in resilience and stroke-play. The wicketkeeper-batter brought up his century in just 80 balls, equaling Brook’s record and becoming the third-fastest England Men’s Test centurion. Smith’s effort not only matched Brook’s feat but also surpassed Ian Smith’s longstanding record for the highest score by a batter at No. 7 or lower against India, previously set in 1990.
Brook, too, played a crucial role, calmly reaching his ton in the 51st over and contributing to the highest sixth-wicket partnership for England on home soil. As the Brook-Smith stand passed 200, it marked only the third occasion in Test history where two double-century stands occurred for the sixth wicket or lower in the same match. Their stand was also the third-best sixth-wicket partnership against India.
Despite the heroics of Brook and Smith, India eventually regained control. Mohammed Siraj tore through the tail, claiming 6/70, while Akash Deep chipped in with 4/88. England were bowled out for 407, conceding a lead of 180 runs.
India’s batters responded positively in the second innings. Although they lost opener Yashasvi Jaiswal early, they ended the day at 64/1, extending their overall lead to 244 with nine wickets in hand. With Smith’s heroics standing out as one of the most remarkable innings by a wicketkeeper in recent memory, India still hold the advantage going into Day 4, eyeing a decisive result in Birmingham.