England assistant coach Paul Collingwood has drawn comparisons between rising star Jamie Smith and legendary Australian wicketkeeper-batter Adam Gilchrist. Collingwood’s remarks came after Smith’s stunning counterattack on Day 3 of the third Test against Sri Lanka, where the young batter produced a crucial 50-ball 67 to lift England from a precarious position at The Oval.
Smith’s aggressive stroke play, which helped England recover from 82-7 to eventually set Sri Lanka a target of 219, reminded Collingwood of Gilchrist’s explosive middle-order contributions for Australia in the early 2000s. Gilchrist was renowned for demoralizing opposition with his attacking approach, and Collingwood sees a similar quality in Smith.
Jamie Smith’s Heroics Lift England
Speaking to reporters, Collingwood said, “It’s exciting when he comes in. He’s certainly an entertainer. You go back to the days of when Gilchrist would come in for Australia. It sucks the life out of you as the opposition when someone has the ability to do something like that. In his short Test career, he has shown some great skills.”
Smith, who debuted for England earlier in the summer of 2024, has already made a significant impact, showcasing his potential to be a game-changer in the lower middle order. His ability to score freely and aggressively, especially under pressure, has earned him high praise, with Collingwood acknowledging his importance to the team’s setup.
Sri Lanka in Strong Position Heading into Final Day
Despite Smith’s efforts, England face an uphill battle in the ongoing Test. Sri Lanka closed Day 3 at 94-1, needing just 125 more runs to secure victory. Although England leads the series 2-0, they will need something extraordinary to win from their current position. Chris Woakes provided the lone breakthrough on Day 3, dismissing Sri Lankan captain Dimuth Karunaratne early, but Pathum Nissanka and Kusal Mendis batted confidently to steer the visitors toward their target.
Collingwood Remains Optimistic Despite Tough Task Ahead
Collingwood remains optimistic, stating, “We’re going to need a special day if we’re going to win this match. There will be belief in the dressing room. It will be one hell of a Test match to win from this position. We always look at the opportunity, rather than the failures.”
England have enjoyed a successful Test season, winning five out of their last six matches. Even though a victory in this Test seems improbable, Collingwood emphasized that the talent in the squad could potentially deliver a match-winning performance on the final day.
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England’s Bowlers Look for Miraculous Turnaround
As the final day of play looms, all eyes will be on England’s bowlers to see if they can produce a miraculous turnaround and prevent Sri Lanka from achieving a famous win.
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