### England's Resilient Comeback: Brook and Smith Shine in Edgbaston Test In a thrilling display of cricket, England's Harry Brook and Jamie Smith showcased their batting prowess during the second Test against India at Edgbaston. Despite a challenging start, where England found themselves at 84-5, the duo formed a remarkable partnership that not only salvaged the innings but also set records. Brook scored 158 runs, while Smith remained unbeaten at 184, leading England to a total of 407 and reducing their deficit to less than 200 runs against India, who had a commanding lead at the end of the third day of the Test match [https://indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/harry-brook-back-england-beat-india-edgbaston-ind-vs-eng-10107350][https://www.mid-day.com/sports/cricket/article/ind-vs-eng-2nd-test-harry-brook-jamie-smith-smash-tons-despite-england-batting-woes-23583250]. ### Breakdown of the Match Dynamics 1. **Initial Struggles**: England's batting lineup faced a severe challenge early in the innings, collapsing to 84-5, which put them in a precarious position [https://www.dhakatribune.com/sport/cricket/385593/india-on-top-despite-smith-and-brook-s-hundred]. 2. **Partnership Formation**: The sixth-wicket partnership between Brook and Smith was pivotal, as they added 303 runs together, marking the second-highest such partnership in England's Test history [https://www.republicworld.com/sports/cricket/harry-brook-jamie-smith-torment-india-on-day-3-shatter-records-with-epic-6th-wicket-stand-in-edgbaston-test]. 3. **Record-Breaking Performances**: Jamie Smith's innings of 184 not out set a record for the highest score by an England wicketkeeper, while Brook's 158 contributed significantly to England's recovery [https://www.dhakatribune.com/sport/cricket/385593/india-on-top-despite-smith-and-brook-s-hundred][https://www.firstpost.com/firstcricket/harry-brook-and-jamie-smith-smash-records-as-england-mount-thrilling-comeback-against-india-at-edgbaston-13903198.html]. 4. **India's Position**: Despite England's resurgence, India maintained a lead of over 200 runs at the end of the third day, with their bowlers, particularly Mohammed Siraj, having made early inroads into the English batting lineup [https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jul/04/england-india-second-test-day-three-match-report][https://www.channelnewsasia.com/sport/india-lead-england-244-runs-edgbaston-test-after-smiths-184-5220886]. ### Key Statistics and Highlights - **Partnership**: Brook and Smith's 303-run stand is the second-highest for the sixth wicket in England's Test history [https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-stats-mania/eng-vs-ind-2025-harry-brook-jamie-smith-rewrite-record-books-with-mammoth-stand-at-edgbaston]. - **Individual Scores**: - Harry Brook: 158 runs - Jamie Smith: 184 not out - **Bowling Performance**: Mohammed Siraj took six wickets, significantly impacting England's early innings [https://www.crictracker.com/cricket/reviews/eng-vs-ind-2025-2nd-test-day-3-review-siraj-six-for-puts-india-ahead-at-edgbaston]. ### Conclusion: A Turning Point for England **England's performance on Day 3 of the second Test against India was marked by resilience and record-breaking feats.** The partnership between Brook and Smith not only revived England's innings but also set the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the match. As the Test progresses, England will need to build on this momentum to challenge India's substantial lead effectively. 1. **Resilience**: England's ability to recover from a dire situation highlights their fighting spirit. 2. **Record-Setting**: The performances of Brook and Smith will be remembered as a significant moment in the series. 3. **Future Outlook**: England must capitalize on this momentum to close the gap and potentially take control of the match [https://www.business-standard.com/cricket/news/eng-vs-ind-2nd-test-day-3-session-2-smith-brook-taking-game-away-from-ind-125070401181_1.html].