England’s rising star Jamie Smith showed nerves of steel as he stormed past skipper Ben Stokes’ record to etch his name alongside the joint third-fastest Test centuries for England. His dazzling innings lit up Day 3 of the second Test against India at Edgbaston, rescuing the hosts from the brink of collapse.

Earlier, England suffered a dramatic double blow when their premier batter Joe Root fell for 22 and captain Stokes departed for a golden duck in quick succession, leaving them tottering at 84 for 5. It was then that Smith strode to the crease, determined to turn the tide, finding a resolute partner in Harry Brook at the other end. Embracing England’s fearless ‘Bazball’ mantra to the fullest, the 24-year-old launched a counterattack that left the Indian bowlers searching for answers.

With India notably missing the services of their pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah, Smith took full advantage, unfurling a stunning array of sweeps and drives to relentlessly pierce the boundary. His electrifying century came off just 80 balls, surpassing Stokes’ 85-ball effort against New Zealand at Lord’s in 2015, and equalling Brook’s whirlwind hundred against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in 2022.