England Nationwide Cricket Staff stand-in Check captain Ollie Pope achieved a monumental milestone within the third and closing Check of the sequence in opposition to Sri Lanka Nationwide Cricket Staff on the Kennington Oval in London on Friday, September 6.
Pope had come underneath critical stress after failing to ship with the bat within the first two Check 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 Check.
Regardless of his failures, England managed to win the primary two matches to clinch the sequence and Pope acquired backing from Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum to bounce again sturdy.
The batter did precisely that within the third Check and repaid the religion of the staff 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 regarded centered within the center whereas dealing with Sri Lankan bowlers and he performed his pure sport. Ollie Pope made certain to punish the dangerous balls and was at his fluent greatest whereas batting.
It was a significant aid for him when he accomplished his half-century off 58 balls, as after that, he regarded 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 Check 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 stress on him, nevertheless it additionally helped him develop into the primary batter in historical past to attain his first seven Check lots of in opposition to seven totally different opposition. Additionally, this was his first ton as captain and at house.
Ollie Pope Creates Historical past With His seventh Check Ton
Pope has now smashed his tons in Check cricket in opposition to South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, Eire, India, West Indies, and Sri Lanka.
Pope’s Centuries In Check 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 Cook dinner was elated and talking on BBC Check Match Particular, he acknowledged:
“Truthful play Ollie Pope, good character. It has been a troublesome two video games with the bat and he is fought by way of it.”
Additionally, former England captain Michael Vaughan took to his official X deal with to reward the batsman. Notably, Vaughan was very vital of Pope as captain after his failures and known as him an insecure particular person, who is not ok to develop into the full-time captain.
Nonetheless, Pope has shut down his critics, together with Michael Vaughan, together with his good efficiency within the third Check in opposition to Sri Lanka Nationwide Cricket Staff.
“Good 100 from Ollie pope .. England 221 for 3 .. and off once more for dangerous gentle .. Critically Check cricket has an issue,” Michael Vaughan wrote.
Good 100 from Ollie pope .. England 221 for 3 .. and off once more for dangerous gentle .. Critically Check cricket has an issue ..
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) September 6, 2024
