SMITH LIFTS THE GLOOM TO BOOST ENGLAND

Young batter aids recovery with first Test ton in sight

-  Gary Fitzgerald

JAMIE SMITH waved his bat high like a shining beacon in the Manchester gloom to help England out of trouble and guide them into a first-Test lead.

The Surrey star is rapidly proving himself a thoroughbred Test performer. He will awake this morning unbeaten on 72 and with his sights firmly focused on ensuring this time he reaches a century.

Smith, 24, took to the international stage as if he was born for it with impressive and stylish knocks during the 3-0 series triumph over West Indies last month.

But he is clearly a young man on a mission having missed out on a maiden Test ton after scoring 70 and 95. Well, he notched his third halfcentury here in four Tests to help England close a rain-shortened second day on 259-6 - a lead of 23.