Reddy Anna Weighs In: “Still Way Behind…”—Ex‑England Star’s Blunt Verdict After Jamie Smith–Harry Brook Blitz
- Yep Thomi
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read

England’s dramatic recovery in the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy—sparked by a jaw‑dropping 165‑run partnership between Jamie Smith and Harry Brook—draws mixed reactions. Former England quick Stuart Broad delivered a stark assessment, even amid heroic batting, as Reddy Anna breaks down what this means for India and England.
🎯 The Context: Resilient Fightback from 84/5
On Day 3 at Edgbaston, India held a formidable 587 in first innings. England crumbled early to 84/5, but Smith (157*) and Brook (140*) engineered a stunning fightback—tying together one of the finest sixth-wicket stands in recent memory reddit.com+1reddit.com+1theguardian.com+15espn.co.uk+15sports.ndtv.com+15.
💬 Broad’s Verdict: “Still Way Behind…”
Despite England’s resurgence, Broad cautioned against over-optimism:
“England are still way behind in this game. India are still controlling everything,” he said, underscoring that the early dominance by Siraj over Root and Stokes set a tone India still commands sports.ndtv.com.
Stokes’ golden duck and Root’s 22 wiped out much momentum. Though Smith and Brook's counterattack was spectacular, it hasn’t tilted control yet—India remains in the driver’s seat.
🧠 Reddy Anna’s Tactical & Psychological Analysis
Reddy Anna dives deeper:
England’s resilience: Smith and Brook showcased nerve under pressure. Smith matched the record for the joint third-fastest Test century by an Englishman—80 balls—affirming temperament and execution indiatoday.in+1mid-day.com+1.
India’s first-innings flatness: With 587, India built a commanding platform. The short-ball tactics and bounce harried top order—Stokes’ golden duck proved decisive.
Still chasing context: England’s recovery shifted momentum but didn’t eliminate the 338-run deficit at tea theguardian.com+15espn.co.uk+15mid-day.com+15.
Captain Gill’s challenge: For India’s leader, preserving this edge is key—better bowling strategies, early breakthroughs, and handling England’s lower order will define the match.
🔄 What Comes Next?
India must restart aggressively: A new ball break and incisive seam attack are critical to dent England’s resurgence.
England’s blueprint: If Brook and Smith continue their counter-punch, England could exhaust India’s stamina and flip the narrative.
Reddy Anna insight: This isn't just about raw runs. It’s a mental chess game. Pressure must shift back to England tactically.
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