Surrey wicketkeeper batter Jamie Smith scores fastest England Lions century after 71-ball century vs Sri Lanka A in Galle
Jamie Smith scored 126 from 86 balls as England Lions were bowled out for 405 in response to Sri Lanka A’s first innings total of 332. The hosts ended proceedings on Day Three on 202/3, leading by 129 runs.
Following his century, Smith said: “It is certainly the most entertaining and most enjoyable innings that I have ever played. I would say it is the best innings that I have every played!”
Smith entered with England 122/3 late on Day Two. Accompanied by Durham opening batter Alex Lees, the pair put a stand of 169 runs before Lees agonisingly fell for 97.
Unbeknown to Smith in the middle, his century broke the record for fastest century by an England Lions player – breaking Luke Wright’s 91-ball century for the England Lions vs New Zealand A in 2008/09.
On his record England Lions ton, Smith added: “I didn’t know that it was a record century and I didn’t go out there to achieve that obviously.
“When you get in that situation and you’re flying along you are just focusing on being positive and trying to hit boundaries – hit the ball as far and as hard as I can.”
Under the guidance of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, England’s Test team has adopted an aggressive style of play – particularly in their batting. The attacking nature has filtered through to the England Lions.
“You definitely take on board the style of play that the England team are employing because that’s the style they want to see,” added Smith.
“The coaching staff here give you the freedom to go out and play that way. I’m not focusing on whether I get out, it’s about how you can make runs and being positive.
“That has certainly helped me to make runs here and play the way I did.”
Reflecting on his first England Lions tour, Jamie said: “It is the next step in my career and it has been an opportunity to show my skills and test myself against some really good bowlers.
“It’s good to get in this environment and to play against spin and try and adapt my game to that.”
Going into the fourth and final day, the Lions need to take early wickets before chasing their total down.
On the state of play, Smith finished by saying: “The pitch is pretty flat but the beauty of us scoring so quickly is that it gives us an opportunity and time to bowl them out.
“We’ll aim to do that in the morning and then well hopefully have a chase. We won’t fear chasing any total.”
A full scorecard from Sri Lanka A vs England Lions at Galle International Stadium can be found here.
Images courtesy of Sri Lanka Cricket
