Jasprit Bumrah threat? Jamie Smith reveals why he attacked Jadeja in Leeds Test
Jamie Smith revealed that the threat of Jasprit Bumrah prompted him to take on Ravindra Jadeja and finish the Leeds Test as quickly as possible. Chasing 371 for victory at Headingley, England needed just 22 runs with five wickets in hand when India took the second new ball.But the game ended swiftly. In the 82nd over, Smith launched Jadeja for a four and two sixes, sealing the win in just two overs after the new ball was taken. With the victory, England took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.advertisement"The runs at that point (when Smith decided to go after Jadeja) were not too many, so I wasn't expecting him (Bumrah) to come on and bowl (with the new ball), but you're just never quite sure, especially in cricket," Smith was quoted as saying on ESPNcricinfo.
"You don't know what will happen. I always back our tail, but there could be a couple of decent balls, and suddenly you're eight-down and the pressure's back on you again. It was nice to just get it done and move on.''Calculated risk'Smith played a vital role in England's victory with scores of 40 and an unbeaten 44. The 24-year-old said he took a calculated risk in the second innings, choosing to play his shots with the opportunity to score quickly against the new ball.advertisement"I knew there was a new ball coming, and it looks as though I'd exposed Chris Woakes (at No. 8) but, at that point, if I'd hit another couple of sixes in that over, you're taking all the momentum into the new ball."The second new ball can bring wickets, but it can increase the scoring rate as well. There's always a little bit of calculated thinking behind it,' Smith added.England will be looking to take a 2-0 lead when the second Test starts on July 2 at Edgbaston in Birmingham.- Ends
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