Ollie Pope, England’s stand-in captain, made a remarkable return to form on Day 1 of the 3rd and final Test against Sri Lanka at The Oval in London. The talented 26-year-old batsman had been under pressure due to his low scores in the previous two matches of the series. However, on Friday, Pope silenced his critics by smashing his seventh Test century, guiding England to a solid position at the end of the first day.
Coming into this match, Pope had faced a challenging period with scores of 6, 6, 1, and 17 in the earlier games at Old Trafford and Lord’s. Fans and experts were beginning to question his form and captaincy. However, Pope’s century not only rescued England from a tricky situation but also reaffirmed his position as a key player for the national side. His confident knock was a reminder of why he is considered one of England’s most promising young talents.
Ollie Pope Celebrates Stunning Century
Ollie Pope achieved a unique milestone with his century against Sri Lanka. The Surrey-born batsman became the first cricketer to score his first seven Test centuries against seven different oppositions. His journey to this incredible achievement began in 2020 when he scored his maiden Test century against South Africa. Since then, Pope has gone on to score centuries against New Zealand, Pakistan, Ireland, India, West Indies, and now, Sri Lanka.
His latest century came during the 44th over of the innings, when he drove a delivery from Asitha Fernando in front of point for a boundary. This shot not only brought up his ton but also sparked joyous celebrations from the young captain, who removed his helmet and raised his bat to the crowd. His century was vital in steadying England’s innings, especially after losing a few quick wickets.
The moment Ollie Pope went to his SEVENTH Test match hundred 💯 pic.twitter.com/uG9nE9enq6
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 6, 2024
England’s Innings: Early Wickets and Rain Delays
The 3rd Test began with Sri Lankan captain Dhananjaya de Silva opting to bowl first under cloudy skies, hoping to exploit the overcast conditions. England made a promising start but lost Dan Lawrence early for just 5 runs. Ben Duckett looked in fine touch, racing to 86 runs before falling short of a well-deserved century. Joe Root, the leading run-scorer of the series, couldn’t contribute much in this match as he was dismissed for just 13.
Despite these setbacks, Ollie Pope and Harry Brook continued to hold the innings together. However, bad light and rain interrupted the play twice during the day. The second interruption came right after Pope had reached his century, and eventually, stumps were called for the day. England finished at 221/3, with Pope unbeaten and Harry Brook set to resume alongside him on Day 2.
Pope’s Century: A Much-Needed Redemption
Ollie Pope’s century couldn’t have come at a better time for both him and the team. The captaincy responsibilities had added pressure on Pope, and his poor performances in the previous two Tests against Sri Lanka only increased the scrutiny on him. With scores of 6, 6, 1, and 17, the stand-in captain was in desperate need of a big innings to restore confidence in his leadership and batting ability.
In this match, Pope demonstrated remarkable composure and intent. His strokes were a blend of aggression and control, and his ability to rotate the strike kept the pressure off his partners at the other end. Pope’s 100 came off just 153 balls, a brisk knock that allowed England to maintain a positive run rate throughout the day.
England’s Batting: Key Performances on Day 1
- Ben Duckett: Duckett provided England with a solid start and batted aggressively before falling just 14 runs short of a century. His 86-run knock gave England early momentum.
- Ollie Pope: The highlight of the day, Pope’s century came at a crucial time, helping England recover from the early loss of wickets and setting a platform for a strong total.
- Joe Root: Root, who has been in incredible form throughout the series, couldn’t make an impact in this game, scoring only 13 runs.
- Harry Brook: Brook, England’s vice-captain, remained unbeaten at the close of play, providing solid support to Pope.
Day 2 Preview: England in a Strong Position
England will resume Day 2 with a strong foundation at 221/3, thanks to Ollie Pope’s century and Harry Brook’s steady contribution. With an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series, the hosts will be looking to post a big total and put pressure on Sri Lanka. Pope will be eager to add more runs to his tally and push England towards a dominant position in the match.
