England's Ruthless Strategy Revealed: Wicketkeeper Smith on Crushing India at Headingley

England secured a remarkable five-wicket victory over India in Leeds, taking a 1-0 lead in the five-match series. Wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith has now revealed the team's strategy that led to this stunning win.

According to Smith, the team maintained a ruthless and controlled approach throughout the match. "It was so measured and controlled throughout that we never gave them (India) a sniff. The really important thing is for the team to be quite ruthless: once you’re on top, try to put them to bed," Smith told the Daily Mail.

The second match of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy is scheduled to begin on July 2nd at Edgbaston.

Smith emphasized the importance of the team's batting philosophy, noting the maturity and learning that has occurred within the core group of players. “By keeping a core group of people throughout that cycle, what’s happened is they’ve matured and learned and almost pushed their limits of what they can do.”

He highlighted past achievements, such as scoring 500 runs in a day and successfully chasing down large totals, as evidence of the team's capabilities. "We’ve seen some really special stuff over the course of the three years – 500 in a day and chasing down these totals has been incredibly pleasing and special for those guys, showing what can be done. This was a great example of where the team have got to, that we didn’t give India a chance."

Smith added that, in the past, the team might have collapsed, giving the opposition a chance to recover. However, in this match, England maintained control and never allowed India back into the game.

Smith has become a key player in England's batting lineup, accumulating 725 runs in 18 Test innings with a strike rate of 73.08. His contributions include a century and four fifties.

He clarified that Bazball's philosophy extends beyond hitting sixes and boundaries. “That’s the impact of what this side’s done, it’s allowed the easy singles to go unnoticed because it feels like we’re scoring so fast,” said Smith.

Smith explained how the field placement contributes to the scoring rate, making it easier for batsmen to get off strike and maintain momentum. “But because the men are already out on the boundary, people are able to get off strike and that keeps the rate flowing. It’s obviously nice to hit a few sixes rather than the ones, but you’re just playing what’s in front of you and thankfully at the minute, it seems to be coming off."

Smith concluded by emphasizing the importance of belief from others in elevating one's game. “Something that definitely took my game to the next level was having that belief from other people and that transfers on to you, especially when you’re out there batting,” he added.