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4 Youngest Wicketkeepers To Score a Test Century For England

Jamie Smith became the youngest England wicketkeeper to score a Test hundred (Twitter)Jamie Smith became the youngest England wicketkeeper to score a Test hundred (Twitter)

Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith notched up his maiden Test century in just his fourth appearance in whites for England, marking a significant milestone in his budding career.

Smith reached this coveted landmark on the third day of the opening Test against Sri Lanka at Old Trafford. The Surrey starlet crafted his way to a well-earned hundred off 136 balls, steering England into the driver's seat with a crucial first-innings lead in Manchester.

In doing so, Jamie Smith also etched his name in the record books as the youngest wicketkeeper to score a Test century for England. Let’s take a look at the 4 youngest wicketkeepers to have scored a Test century for England.

5. Ollie Pope – 24 Years, 333 Days

Ollie Pope (Twitter)Ollie Pope (Twitter)

Ollie Pope, the fifth-youngest England wicketkeeper to score a Test century, shone in the first Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi in 2022.

His fluent 108 off 104 balls, along with centuries from Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, and Harry Brook, powered England to a formidable 657 in the first innings.

Pakistan fought back with centuries from Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, and Babar Azam, scoring 579. In the second innings, quickfire contributions, including Brook's 87, set Pakistan a target of 343.

Despite Saud Shakeel's fighting 76, England, led by Ollie Robinson and James Anderson, clinched a 74-run victory.

4. Alan Knott – 24 Years, 330 Days

Alan Knott batting (Twitter)Alan Knott batting (Twitter)

Alan Knott, at 24 years and 330 days, delivered a remarkable performance in the second Test against New Zealand in 1971 in Auckland, scoring a crucial century in England's first innings.

His composed 101 off 149 balls helped England post 321 runs, after initial struggles at the top order. New Zealand responded with 313/7 declared, with Derek Underwood's 5-wicket haul being the standout for England.

In the second innings, Knott once again showcased his resilience, scoring 96 runs as England set New Zealand a target of 246. The match eventually ended in a draw, with New Zealand safely negotiating the final session at 40/0.

3. Les Ames - 24 Years, 121 Days

Les Ames (Facebook)Les Ames (Facebook)

Les Ames, at 24 years and 121 days, played a huge role for England in the historic 4th Test against the West Indies in Kingston in 1930.

His splendid knock of 149 off just 174 balls in England's first innings powered the visitors to a monumental total of 849. This innings laid a solid foundation, allowing England to control the match.

West Indies, in response, managed 286 in their first innings, with Ames contributing behind the stumps as well. In England's second innings, they declared at 272/9, setting a colossal target of 836.

Despite a valiant effort from George Headley, who scored 223, and Karl Nunes' 92, the match ended in a draw with West Indies scoring 408/5.

2. Les Ames - 24 Years, 60 Days

Les Ames (Facebook)Les Ames (Facebook)

Les Ames, at just 24 years and 60 days, delivered a crucial performance for England in the second Test against the West Indies in Port of Spain in 1930. After a shaky start in England's first innings, where they were bowled out for 208, Ames contributed a solid 42 runs. West Indies responded by posting 254.

In the second innings, Ames showcased his batting brilliance with a splendid 105 and became the youngest English wicketkeeper to score a ton, a record which stood for 94 years before Jamie Smith broke it.

His knock complemented Patsy Hendren's double century, as England declared at 425/8, setting the West Indies a daunting target of 380 runs.

Ames also played a key role behind the stumps as England bowled out West Indies for 212, securing a commanding 167-run victory.

1. Jamie Smith – 24 Years, 40 Days

Jamie Smith (Twitter)Jamie Smith (Twitter)

On the third day of the first Test at Old Trafford in 2024, Jamie Smith made his mark with a maiden Test century, rescuing England when they were trailing Sri Lanka's first-innings total of 236.

Coming in at a crucial moment, Smith formed a vital 62-run partnership with Harry Brook. After Brook’s departure, Smith took charge, guiding England to a 122-run lead with disciplined batting. His was the eighth wicket to fall, but not before scoring 111 off 148 balls with eight fours and six.

He reached his century in 136 balls, becoming the youngest English wicketkeeper to achieve this feat. Smith's composed knock put England in a commanding position, showcasing his maturity in just his debut year in Test cricket.