In a sensational display of power-hitting and fearless batting, England’s wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith etched his name into the record books by scoring the fastest Test century by an English player against India. The 24-year-old Surrey star reached his hundred in just 68 balls on Day 2 of the third Test in Ahmedabad, surpassing Matt Prior’s 73-ball century against India in 2008.
The innings that stunned Ahmedabad
Smith came to the crease when England were wobbling at 215/5, facing a fired-up Indian pace attack under humid afternoon conditions. Instead of consolidating with a cautious approach, Smith counterattacked fearlessly. He targeted debutant seamer Mukesh Kumar with consecutive sixes over deep midwicket before reverse-sweeping Axar Patel for boundaries at will.
His aggressive innings saw him bring up the milestone with a thunderous pull off Mohammed Siraj, prompting raucous applause from the travelling Barmy Army. Smith eventually departed for 112 off 72 balls, having smashed 14 fours and 5 sixes.
| Statistic | Jamie Smith |
|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 112 |
| Balls Faced | 72 |
| Strike Rate | 155.5 |
| Fours | 14 |
| Sixes | 5 |
| Balls to 50 | 34 |
| Balls to 100 | 68 |
| Minutes Batted | 92 |
Reaction from England camp
England captain Ben Stokes hailed Smith’s fearless intent:
“That was an outstanding innings from Jamie. Coming in under pressure and playing with freedom shows his character. He’s been doing this for Surrey consistently, and now the world has seen his ability.”
Coach Brendon McCullum, the architect of England’s aggressive ‘Bazball’ philosophy, called Smith’s century a “perfect example of modern Test batting where risk and reward are balanced smartly.”
Previous record holders for fastest Test century by an English batter against India
| Player | Balls | Venue | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jamie Smith | 68 | Ahmedabad | 2025 |
| Matt Prior | 73 | Mumbai | 2008 |
| Ian Botham | 86 | Mumbai | 1980 |
| Ben Stokes | 92 | Chennai | 2021 |
| Graham Gooch | 95 | Lord’s | 1990 |
Jamie Smith’s record now sits among the fastest Test centuries ever scored against India by any batter, joining a list that includes Adam Gilchrist (57 balls) and Shahid Afridi (78 balls).
Smith’s career so far
The wicketkeeper-batter debuted for Surrey in 2019, quickly gaining a reputation for aggressive strokeplay and adaptability in all formats. Before this knock, his international opportunities were limited due to Jonny Bairstow and Ben Foakes’ presence. However, consistent county performances, averaging 47.2 with a strike rate above 80 in first-class cricket since 2023, forced selectors to hand him his maiden Test cap earlier this series.
Expert analysis on Jamie Smith’s technique
Former England captain Michael Vaughan praised Smith’s clean ball striking:
“What stands out is his composure at the crease. He picks length early and doesn’t overhit. His technique is compact, and he uses his wrists beautifully to find gaps. He has the makings of England’s long-term wicketkeeper-batter across formats.”
Indian team’s reaction
Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin admitted they were surprised by Smith’s approach:
“He took the pitch out of the equation with his attacking shots. We had plans, but he executed his counterattack perfectly. Sometimes you have to appreciate good batting.”
Fan reactions on social media
Fans across England and the cricketing world celebrated Smith’s blistering knock:
- “Jamie Smith, take a bow. What a fearless debut series performance.”
- “Bazball 2.0 is here. Smith has announced himself in style.”
- “Fastest century by an English batter against India. Remember the name: Jamie Smith.”
The Bazball impact: Changing Test batting paradigms
Smith’s innings epitomises England’s attacking Test approach under Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes. Since June 2022, England’s run rate in Tests has been 4.55, the highest in history for any team over 10 matches.
| Year | England’s Avg Test Run Rate | Global Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 3.02 | 5th |
| 2020 | 3.18 | 4th |
| 2022 | 4.55 | 1st |
| 2025 | 4.78 | 1st |
Experts believe such innings redefine how Test cricket is played, forcing opponents to rethink defensive tactics against counterattacking middle-order batters.
England’s innings summary
| Batter | Runs | Balls | 4s | 6s |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zak Crawley | 54 | 88 | 6 | 1 |
| Joe Root | 102 | 185 | 9 | 2 |
| Jamie Smith | 112 | 72 | 14 | 5 |
| Ben Stokes | 45 | 61 | 5 | 1 |
| Jonny Bairstow | 28 | 40 | 3 | 0 |
| Extras | 17 | – | – | – |
| Total | 420 | – | – | – |
England ended Day 2 at 420 all out, gaining a first-innings lead of 112 against India, who were bowled out for 308 on Day 1.
What’s next for Jamie Smith?
With such a record-breaking innings early in his career, Smith is being tipped as a long-term wicketkeeper-batter for England. His ability to adapt in subcontinental conditions has bolstered England’s middle-order options as they prepare for the Ashes in 2026.
Former selector Ed Smith stated:
“England have finally found their Adam Gilchrist-type player in Jamie Smith. He can bat at 6 or 7 and change games within a session.”
Final thoughts
Jamie Smith’s historic century in Ahmedabad is not just a personal milestone but a statement of intent by England’s new-generation cricketers. It reflects a team ethos driven by fearlessness, positive intent, and technical clarity, factors that could redefine Test cricket’s future.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational and reporting purposes only. It does not constitute professional cricket coaching or betting advice. Readers are advised to refer to official match reports and national cricket board statements for verified updates. The publication assumes no responsibility for actions taken based on this news report.
