Can Smith and Brook Keep the Indian Bowlers at Bay as England Surpasses 350?
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Synopsis
On Day Three of the second Test, Jamie Smith and Harry Brook delivered a stunning performance, leading England past 350 runs. Their partnership showcased resilience against India’s bowlers, providing a thrilling spectacle for cricket fans. Can they continue their form and bridge the gap to India's lead?
Key Takeaways
- England reached 355 runs, trailing India by 232 runs.
- Jamie Smith and Harry Brook put on an impressive sixth-wicket partnership.
- Brook celebrated his century in memory of his grandmother.
- Smith achieved his 150 runs for the third time in first-class cricket.
- India's hope rests on taking the new ball to break their partnership.
Birmingham, July 4 (NationPress) - Jamie Smith and Harry Brook have been on a remarkable run, successfully keeping the beleaguered Indian bowlers at bay and propelling England past the 350-mark on Day Three of the second Test in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy series at Edgbaston this Friday.
By tea, England had reached a score of 355/5 in 75 overs, trailing India by 232 runs, with Smith and Brook both remaining unbeaten at 157 and 140 respectively. Their impressive sixth-wicket partnership is now an astonishing 271 runs off 323 balls, with Brook achieving his ninth Test century off just 137 balls.
The second session kicked off with Brook skillfully finding the gap between gully and second slip off Prasidh Krishna to secure his 13th boundary and reach his century, celebrating by looking skyward in memory of his grandmother, Pauline, who passed away in March 2024.
Smith, having completed his century before lunch, showed no signs of slowing down, effortlessly scoring boundaries off Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy. A brief lull in scoring came to an end when Smith drove Reddy straight down the ground, followed by back-to-back boundaries against the Indian seamer.
Despite Akash Deep's return to the bowling attack yielding little success, Smith pulled him effortlessly before taking a single off Mohammed Siraj to reach 150 for only the third time in his first-class career.
Brook then reverse-swept and pulled Sundar for two more boundaries, concluding a session in which England amassed 106 runs. India's chances of breaking the Smith-Brook partnership might hinge on the introduction of the new ball five overs into the final session.
Brief scores:
India 587 leads England 355/5 in 75 overs (Jamie Smith 157 not out, Harry Brook 140 not out; Mohammed Siraj 3-57, Akash Deep 2-70) by 232 runs.
Point of View
I believe that Smith and Brook's outstanding partnership not only highlights their individual talents but also demonstrates the strength of the English team. Their ability to handle pressure against a formidable bowling attack reflects the potential for a thrilling finish in this Test series.
NationPress
26/07/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
How many runs did England score on Day Three?
England scored 355 runs for the loss of 5 wickets on Day Three.
What is the significance of the sixth-wicket partnership?
The sixth-wicket partnership between Smith and Brook has amassed 271 runs, showcasing their resilience against India's bowling.
