England Star Scores Century in County Championship After Disastrous Ashes

Out-of-form England wicketkeeper Jamie Smith managed to quiet some of his critics by scoring an impressive 132 for Surrey in their opening match of the 2026 Rothesay County Championship against Warwickshire at Edgbaston on Monday, April 6. 

After a disappointing Ashes series in Australia, where he only managed 211 runs at an average of 23.44 and just one half-century, questions have been swirling about his spot in the England Test team ahead of a three-match series at home against New Zealand. 

However, Smith demonstrated his skills by notching up his 13th First-Class century against Warwickshire in the second innings. Coming in at number three for Surrey, the 25-year-old took his time and helped his team recover, finishing with 132 runs off 261 balls, a performance that didn’t quite fit the aggressive ‘Bazball’ style England has adopted.

He was well-supported by all-rounder Dan Lawrence, another player vying for a spot in the national setup, who scored an unbeaten 161 to help Surrey secure a draw in Birmingham. 

England Stars Battle for Test Spots as County Championship Heats Up

It was crucial for Smith to get some runs on the board in the first round of the new County Championship season. Meanwhile, Somerset’s James Rew, who’s being considered as a potential replacement for Smith, scored 64 and 122 against defending champions Nottinghamshire. The 22-year-old already boasts 12 First-Class centuries. 

In the battle to retain their places in the Test squad, Zak Crawley didn’t do himself any favors. The right-handed batter managed just nine and 20 for Kent in their match against Durham in Division Two. 

With the summer approaching, England’s Test side is in need of some changes as they prepare to face New Zealand and Pakistan in the longest format of the game. Currently, the Three Lions sit seventh in the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship, just above the West Indies and Bangladesh.