As the Brook and Smith stand went past 200, history was created as it became just the third Test to feature two double hundred stands for sixth wicket or below.
As England hit the 300-run mark, the stand became the most prolific sixth-wicket partnership for England in their home country.
England were unbothered through the second session into the third, till the new ball was taken, when Akash Deep finally got one past Harry Brook. As Brook fell for 158, the 303-run stand, which was the second-best for England for the sixth wicket, and the third-best partnership for the sixth wicket against India.
Smith continued his fight from the other end and in the 88th over got to the personal landmark of 174. This was the highest-ever score by an England wicketkeeper in Tests.
As he achieved this landmark, he also went past New Zealand’s Ian Smith, who had the highest score for a batter positioned at seven or lower against India prior to this game. Ian had achieved the feat in 1990.
However, England’s tail couldn’t hold up against sustained pressure from India seamers, and the side was bowled out for 407, with Smith unbeaten on 184. Mohammed Siraj finished with 6/70, while Akash Deep had 4/88 to his name.
The India batters started positively and despite losing Yashasvi Jaiswal, were at 64/1 at the end of day’s play.
