England Post 407 With 6 Ducks and Two Tons in Test Chaos
England’s first innings at Edgbaston in the second Test saw a wild mix of brilliance and disaster. Despite six batters being dismissed without scoring, the hosts still managed to post a competitive 407—thanks to incredible hundreds by Harry Brook and Jamie Smith.
This rare combination of individual brilliance and collective collapse has stunned fans and left the match on a knife’s edge.
Early Collapse and Unexpected Recovery
India’s bowlers struck hard in the early overs. By the time the score reached 84/5, the English top order had been dismantled. Duckett, Pope, and Stokes were among those dismissed for zero, while Siraj and debutant Akash Deep delivered fiery spells.
Then came the fightback. Harry Brook showed composure and timing to craft 158 runs off 234 balls, while Jamie Smith launched a counter-attack, smashing 184 off just 207 balls. Their partnership of 303 runs for the sixth wicket not only revived England but also entered the record books as one of the top sixth-wicket stands in English Test history.
A Record Six Ducks
England’s innings became statistically unique with six players getting out for ducks. This included big names like:
- Ben Stokes (0)
- Ben Duckett (0)
- Ollie Pope (0)
- Brydon Carse (0)
- Josh Tongue (0)
- Shoaib Bashir (0)
Such an occurrence is extremely rare in Test cricket. For a team to post over 400 despite losing more than half the side for zero is almost unheard of. This innings now stands as one of the most contrasting in Test history—highlighting both failure and fight.
Mohammed Siraj’s Six-Wicket Burst
India’s pace spearhead Mohammed Siraj turned up the heat and bagged 6 wickets for 79 runs, marking one of his best bowling performances in Tests. He exploited movement off the pitch and dismissed key middle- and lower-order batters in quick succession.
Akash Deep, also made a mark with three vital wickets, including the dismissals of Brook and Root.
Smith and Brook: A Historic Stand
The sixth-wicket stand of 303 runs between Smith and Brook is now among England’s all-time best. It ranks as:
- One of the top three sixth-wicket partnerships ever for England
- Among the highest partnerships ever made at Edgbaston
- The third-highest sixth-wicket stand by any team against India in Test cricket
Smith narrowly missed out on a double hundred. His fluent knock included 21 fours and came at a strike rate close to 89.
India Hold the Edge
India replied with 587 in the first innings and began their second innings with confidence, reaching 64/1 by stumps. That extended their overall lead to 244 runs with two days left in the Test. With time and runs on their side, India will look to bat England out of the contest, while England hope for early wickets on Day 4.
Final Thoughts
This Test will be remembered for its wild swings—6 ducks, two commanding centuries, a massive rescue partnership, and a fiery bowling display. England’s bizarre innings proves that in cricket, even the most improbable combinations can produce historic moments.
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