Jamie Smith Reflects on Near Century in Third Test Against West Indies

Jamie Smith expressed mixed emotions after falling just five runs short of his first Test century during the third Test against the West Indies. The young batsman, who scored 95 runs, acknowledged he might feel "a little bit gutted" in the coming days for missing the milestone. However, he emphasized the importance of contributing to the team's performance, stating that he was pleased to demonstrate his positive approach early in his career. Coming to the crease with England struggling at 169 for six and trailing by 113 runs, Smith formed crucial partnerships with Joe Root, who scored 87, and Chris Woakes, who added 62 runs. Their collective efforts propelled England to a total of 376, establishing a lead of 94 runs. Smith highlighted the significance of building partnerships and focusing on reducing the deficit during his innings. Smith also discussed his strategy against the West Indies' fast bowlers, particularly their use of short balls. He noted that facing 90mph deliveries was a new challenge for him, as such bowling is less common in county cricket. He had prepared for this possibility by practicing in the nets and felt confident in his approach. Despite his near miss, Smith's performance was a testament to his resilience and adaptability. He acknowledged the pressure from the West Indies bowlers but remained focused on his game plan, which ultimately contributed to England's success in the match.