England Nationwide Cricket Staff stand-in Take a look at captain Ollie Pope achieved a monumental milestone within the third and ultimate Take a look at of the collection in opposition to Sri Lanka Nationwide Cricket Staff on the Kennington Oval in London on Friday, September 6.
Pope had come below critical strain after failing to ship with the bat within the first two Take a look at matches in opposition to the Lankan Lions. Within the series-opening conflict in Manchester, he registered twin 6s, earlier than scoring 1 & 17 within the Lord’s Take a look at.
Regardless of his failures, England managed to win the primary two matches to clinch the collection and Pope obtained backing from Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum to bounce again robust.
The batter did precisely that within the third Take a look at and repaid the religion of the workforce administration. Ollie Pope needed to come out to bat within the tenth over after Dan Lawrence (5) as soon as once more did not ship with the bat.
Pope appeared centered within the center whereas dealing with Sri Lankan bowlers and he performed his pure recreation. Ollie Pope made positive to punish the unhealthy balls and was at his fluent finest whereas batting.
It was a serious reduction for him when he accomplished his half-century off 58 balls, as after that, he appeared much more assured and set his sights on the triple-figure landmark. He lastly achieved it on the fifth ball of the forty fourth over by smashing a 4 to Asitha Fernando.
As Pope accomplished his ton off 102 balls, he eliminated his helmet and celebrated passionately as Ben Stokes and others from the England dressing room applauded the batsman.
The second Ollie Pope went to his SEVENTH Take a look at match hundred 💯 pic.twitter.com/uG9nE9enq6
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 6, 2024
This century was a particular one for Pope as not solely did it cut back the strain on him, however it additionally helped him grow to be the primary batter in historical past to attain his first seven Take a look at a whole lot in opposition to seven totally different opposition. Additionally, this was his first ton as captain and at dwelling.
Ollie Pope Creates Historical past With His seventh Take a look at Ton
Pope has now smashed his tons in Take a look at cricket in opposition to South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, Eire, India, West Indies, and Sri Lanka.
Pope’s Centuries In Take a look at Cricket:
135* vs South Africa
145 vs New Zealand
108 vs Pakistan
205 vs Eire
196 vs India
121 vs West Indies
103* vs Sri Lanka
Taking a look at Poor hitting ton, Sir Alastair Prepare dinner was elated and talking on BBC Take a look at Match Particular, he acknowledged:
“Honest play Ollie Pope, sensible character. It has been a tricky two video games with the bat and he is fought by means of it.”
Additionally, former England captain Michael Vaughan took to his official X deal with to reward the batsman. Notably, Vaughan was very crucial of Pope as captain after his failures and known as him an insecure particular person, who is not adequate to grow to be the full-time captain.
Nevertheless, Pope has shut down his critics, together with Michael Vaughan, along with his sensible efficiency within the third Take a look at in opposition to Sri Lanka Nationwide Cricket Staff.
“Good 100 from Ollie pope .. England 221 for 3 .. and off once more for unhealthy gentle .. Severely Take a look at cricket has an issue,” Michael Vaughan wrote.
Good 100 from Ollie pope .. England 221 for 3 .. and off once more for unhealthy gentle .. Severely Take a look at cricket has an issue ..
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) September 6, 2024
