Summary:
England fought back valiantly on Day 3 of the second Test at Edgbaston, led by an unbeaten partnership between Jamie Smith and Harry Brook. The duo’s resilience and stroke play not only halted India’s progress but also helped England inch closer to avoiding the follow-on. India, despite a dominant first innings, found themselves under pressure as the English pair compiled a record sixth-wicket stand.
England’s Middle-Session Comeback
After a fiery start from India earlier in the Test, England resumed Day 3 at a fragile stage but made a remarkable recovery. The morning session saw England plunder 172 runs in a counter-attacking masterclass, thanks to Jamie Smith and Harry Brook. Even after losing early wickets, the duo countered India’s bowling with aggression and confidence.
Brook was the first to bring up his milestone, scoring his ninth Test hundred in just 27 matches, cutting Prasidh Krishna to the boundary to raise his bat. Smith followed with determined resolve, benefiting from a stroke of luck when Rishabh Pant dropped him on 121, allowing the ball to race to the fence. That drop would prove costly as the pair tightened their grip on the innings.
Record-Breaking Sixth-Wicket Partnership
The pair brought up the 200-run partnership soon after the reprieve, making it the first time in Test history that an English sixth-wicket pair had stitched together a 200+ stand against India. Interestingly, this achievement came right after Shubman Gill and Ravindra Jadeja had posted a 200-plus stand of their own for India the previous day, making it two such feats in back-to-back innings of this Test.
By the 70th over, Smith and Brook had crossed the 250-run partnership mark, guiding England to 355/5 by Tea, only 33 runs short of avoiding the follow-on. Jamie Smith remained unbeaten on 157 runs, while Harry Brook was not out on 140 runs, both showing poise under pressure.
Spinners Struggle, Pacers Tire
India turned to spin from both ends after the ball change, but it didn’t bring the desired results. In five overs, the changed ball leaked 22 runs, and though the Indian bowlers managed to stem the flow briefly, Smith and Brook continued their slow strangulation. Even Washington Sundar’s over went for 12 runs, signaling the ease with which England’s batters were dealing with India’s attack.
Mohammed Siraj was the most successful Indian bowler, with figures of 3/57, while Akash Deep chipped in with 2/70. However, the second new ball—due in five overs at the time—offered India the next best chance of breaking the deadlock.
India’s Lead Shrinks
Despite their commanding first-innings total of 587, India’s lead was reduced to 232 runs by Tea on Day 3. What once looked like a position of total dominance now appeared uncertain, with England not only closing in on the follow-on mark but also threatening to post a competitive reply.
The longer Smith and Brook stayed, the more India’s grip on the Test loosened. England’s effort showed the depth and fight in their lineup, with their recovery being orchestrated after the top order failed to fire.
Historical Context and Implications
This sixth-wicket stand between Smith and Brook will go down as one of the most significant rear-guard actions by England in recent times, especially considering the context—a massive first-innings total by the opposition and the psychological pressure of a potential follow-on.
From a broader perspective, this Edgbaston Test has already seen two 200-plus sixth-wicket partnerships in a single Test, one by each team. Such instances are rare and reflect the conditions, mental resilience, and quality of cricket on display.
With two full days remaining, the match remains finely poised. India still have the upper hand in terms of the overall lead and scoreboard pressure, but they will need breakthroughs soon, especially with the second new ball.
Brief Scores:
India 1st innings: 587
England 2nd innings (at Tea, Day 3): 355/5
Jamie Smith 157*
Harry Brook 140*
Mohd. Siraj 3/57
Akash Deep 2/70
India lead by 232 runs.