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[Saba Sports News] Jamie Smith scored his maiden international century, giving England a commanding 122-run lead on Day 3 of the first Test against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford, Manchester, on Friday, August 23.
With this century, Smith became the youngest England wicketkeeper-batter to achieve this milestone, breaking the record held by Les Ames, who was 24 years and 63 days old when he scored a Test hundred in 1930.
At 24, Smith is also the first England batter to reach a Test century in 18 months. He reached the milestone in just 136 balls in his fifth Test innings, coming in at No. 6 when England was struggling at 125/4. Smith displayed classic cricket shots and quick running between the wickets.
He resumed Day 3 on 72 off 97 deliveries and reached his century with a push through mid-wicket for a double. He eventually fell for 111 off 148 balls, caught behind by Dinesh Chandimal off Prabath Jaysuriya’s bowling, after giving England a 79-run lead. His knock featured eight fours and a six.
Smith’s innings earned praise from legends like Kumar Sangakkara and Nasser Hussain, with the latter remarking, “He has taken to Test cricket like a duck to water.” After his dismissal, Mark Wood added a quick 22 off 13 balls before England was bowled out for 358. Asitha Fernando and Prabath Jaysuriya took four and three wickets, respectively, for Sri Lanka.