Jamie Smith has scored a century at the age of 24 years and 42 days and has become the youngest wicket-keeper batsman to score a century for England. Earlier this record was in the name of Les Ames
The first match of the three-match series between England and Sri Lanka is being played at the Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester and in this match, the host team's wicketkeeper batsman Jamie Smith has created history. 24-year-old Jamie Smith has become the youngest wicket-keeper batsman of England to score a century in a Test match.
England won the match against Sri Lanka due to Jamie Smith's century. On the basis of Smith's first century, England scored 358 runs in the first innings and on the basis of first innings, England got a lead of 122 runs. Let us tell you, this was the first century of Jamie Smith's Test career and on the basis of this century he has broken a 94 year old record.
Jamie Smith broke 94 years old record
In fact, Jamie Smith scored a century at the age of 24 years and 42 days, becoming the youngest wicketkeeper-batsman to score a century for England. The record was set by Les Zam at 24 years and 63 days against the West Indies at Port of Spain in 1930. Apart from that, it is also the first century by an England wicketkeeper-batsman since 2022.
Smith's debut for England was against West Indies earlier this year, where he scored 70 runs. He has continued to impress with his batting, scoring a near-century in his third Test and scoring 95 against the West Indies at Edgbaston
If we talk about the match, on the basis of Jamie's first century, England took a lead of 122 runs over Sri Lanka on Friday, the third day of the first Test match of the two-match series. Smith scored 111 runs in 148 balls with the help of one six and eight fours, due to which England's first innings was reduced to 358 runs in reply to Sri Lanka's 236 runs. The England team was out shortly before lunch, after which their bowlers increased Sri Lanka's problems by taking two wickets for 10 runs.
Chris Woakes bowled Nishan Madushanka without opening the account, while Kusal Mendis, without making any contribution, was caught by Smith behind the wicket off the ball of Gut Atkinson. 24-year-old Smith, who got a place in the team in place of experienced names like Ben Fox and Jonny Bairstow, proved his selection right. He impressed with his work behind the wicket and also made excellent contributions with the bat.
Smith, who scored 70 and 95 during the 3-0 Test series win against West Indies last month, scored his first century in this format in his fourth Test. He showed understanding with the lower order batsmen and took the team to a big score.
England started the day at 259 runs for six wickets. Last day's unbeaten batsman Smith and Atkinson (20) made a partnership of 66 runs for the seventh wicket. Matthew Potts (17) and Mark Wood (22) also made useful contributions with the bat. Asitha Fernando was Sri Lanka's most successful bowler, taking four wickets for 103 runs. Dimuth Karunaratne (04 not out) and Angelo Mathews (06 not out) were present at the crease when the game was stopped during the lunch break.