 "Jamie Smith")
The 24-year-old Jamie Smith proved why England are so confident about their batting strength on Day 3 of the second Test between India and England at Edgbaston. The young English keeper-batter, who came out to bat when England were struggling at 84 for 5, took the Indian bowling attack apart and went on to score the joint third fastest Test hundred for England, equalling Harry Brooks' record of 80 balls ton. GL Jessop with 76 ball ton and Jhonny Bairrstow with 77 balls ton still holds the top two spots.
Fastest Test hundreds for England (balls faced)
| Rank | Balls | Player | Match | Location | Season |
| 1 | 76 | GL Jessop | England v Australia | The Oval | 1902 |
| 2 | 77 | JM Bairstow | England v New Zealand | Nottingham | 2022 |
| 3 | 80 | Jamie Smith | Enagland vs India | Birmingham | 2025 |
| 3 | 80 | Harry Brook | England v Pakistan | Rawalpindi | 2022/23 |
| 4 | 85 | BA Stokes | England v New Zealand | Lord's | 2015 |
| 5 | 86 | IT Botham | England v Australia | Headingley, Leeds | 1981 |
| 6 | 86 | IT Botham | England v Australia | Old Trafford, Manchester | 1981 |
| 7 | 86 | Zak Crawley | England v Pakistan | Rawalpindi | 2022/23 |
| 8 | 88 | KP Pietersen | England v West Indies | Queen's Park Oval, Port of Spain | 2008/09 |
| 9 | 88 | Ben Duckett | England v India | Rajkot | 2023/24 |
| 10 | 91 | Harry Brook | England v New Zealand | Wellington | 2024/25 |
A Record-Breaking Stand for the Ages
Brook and Smith’s monumental sixth-wicket stand entered the record books on multiple fronts. It became just the third 300-plus partnership for the sixth wicket or lower for England in Tests, following the 399-run stand between Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow (vs South Africa, 2016) and the 332-run effort by Jonathan Trott and Stuart Broad (vs Pakistan, 2010).
The duo also registered the third-highest partnership for England against India in Tests, behind the 350-run stand between Ian Bell and Kevin Pietersen in 2011, and the 308-run partnership between Graham Gooch and Allan Lamb in 1990.
More historically, this became only the third instance in Test history where a 300-plus stand for the sixth wicket (or lower) was forged after a team had lost five wickets for under 100 runs. The other two instances were by Don Bradman and Jack Fingleton (346 runs after 97/5 at the MCG in 1937) and Brendon McCullum and BJ Watling (352 runs after 94/5 in Wellington, 2014). Both previous stands are considered legendary rear-guard efforts, and Brook and Smith’s stand now joins that elite company.
Stand Ends, but Damage Done
The epic stand finally came to an end courtesy of Akash Deep, who used the second new ball to produce a sharp delivery that nipped back in and bowled Brook for a spectacular 158 off 234 balls. The young batter walked back to a standing ovation, having lifted England from despair to parity.
As wickets fell quickly at the other end, Smith remained unbeaten on a magnificent 184 off 207, showcasing both grit and flair. Though England couldn’t surpass India’s first-innings total, the resilience shown by Brook and Smith dramatically changed the complexion of the match and gave the hosts renewed hope heading into the fourth day. 
 "India vs England 2nd Test Day 3 session timings")
 "Shubman Gill")
 "Shubman Gill during day 2 of Edgbaston Test")
 "India vs England 2nd Test")
