On Friday, August 23, at the Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, England took a commanding 122-run lead over Sri Lanka on Day 3 of the first Test match. Jamie Smith produced a brilliant century, his first in international cricket. Smith then became the youngest wicketkeeper-batter to make a century in a Test match for England. He surpassed the mark held by Les Ames, who scored a century in a Test match for England against the West Indies in Port of Spain in 1930 at the age of twenty-four years and sixty-three days.
In less than 18 months, the 24-year-old became the first hitter from England to score three figures in a Test match. In just his sixth innings, he reached his century off just 136 balls. With England at a dangerous 125/4, Smith walked out to bat at No. 6. He emphasised running hard between the sticks and played some traditional cricket strokes.
Jamie Smith picked up where he left off on Day 3, finishing Day 2 with 72 off 97 deliveries. Running a double, he reached his milestone with a push through mid-wicket.
He eventually had to walk back to the pavilion after falling behind his adversary Dinesh Chandimal by a remarkable 111 off 148 balls off the bowling of Prabath Jaysuriya. But by then, he had put the Three Lions up by 79 points. There were eight fours and one six in Smith’s hit.
Renowned figures such as Nasser Hussain and Kumar Sangakkara bestowed upon the Epsom native high acclaim. According to the former England captain, “he has taken to Test cricket like duck to water,” during commentary.
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The hosts were eventually bowled out for 358 after Mark Wood swung his bat around and hit a thrilling 22 off 13 balls following Smith’s demise. For the visitors, Asitha Fernando took four and Jayasuriya three wickets respectively.
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