Smith, arriving at the crease at number seven, immediately shifted the momentum with fearless intent. His aggressive approach took the pressure off Harry Brook, who had already been holding the innings together. Together, the young duo launched a stunning counteroffensive, dispatching anything short with disdain and racing to centuries in rapid succession, breathing new life into England’s innings
Smith and Brook have now forged the highest-ever sixth-wicket stand for England against India in Test history, comfortably surpassing the previous mark of 189 set by Chris Woakes and Jonny Bairstow at Lord’s in 2018
As their alliance surged past the 250-run mark, they also became the first English pair to share a double-century stand for the sixth wicket against India, eclipsing legendary names like Ian Botham, David Gower, and others who feature prominently on this illustrious list.
The pair’s exploits also shattered the record for the highest sixth-wicket partnership at Edgbaston in Test matches. Previously, Ravindra Jadeja and Rishabh Pant had set the benchmark with a stand of 222 runs against England in 2022. Remarkably, Jadeja was involved in another substantial partnership in the current match, adding 203 runs alongside Shubman Gill (Photo: BCCI)
Adding further gloss to his performance, Smith reached his century in a blistering 80 balls, slamming the fastest Test hundred by an English batter against India. As he now edges closer to a potential double century, Shubman Gill’s side faces mounting urgency to find a breakthrough and claw their way back into a match that continues to produce historic feats and shifting fortunes
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