Though the 80 balls Smith took to reach three figures meant Gilbert Jessop, England's fastest centurion, can rest easy as he holds onto his record further into a 123rd year, it did mean Smith tied for second place in terms of fastest Test tons by a wicketkeeper.

BIRMINGHAM, England, July 4 (Reuters) - Jamie Smith smashed England's third-fastest test century to drag the hosts back from the brink against India after a nightmare start on day three of the second test had captain Ben Stokes fall for a first-ball duck at Edgbaston on Friday.

His innings at Edgbaston was devastating, and seemed to scramble Shubman Gill's mind in spite of India's huge run-cushion. England often talk about identifying moments to absorb pressure, or to put it back onto their opponents: Smith seized his chance to do the latter,