Pope’s milestone century led England on the opening day of the third Take a look at towards Sri Lanka at The Oval, scoring an unbeaten 103 runs off 103 balls.This efficiency not solely boosted England’s rating to 221/3 but additionally cemented his title within the historical past books.
Ollie Pope’s return to kind was notable, particularly contemplating his current struggles. Earlier than this match, he had solely collected 30 runs in 4 innings since stepping in as captain for the injured Ben Stokes at first of the sequence.Pope’s innings on Friday marked his first century as England captain. It was his twelfth first-class hundred and his seventh in Take a look at cricket. This feat is especially spectacular given the range of opponents he has confronted.
Ollie Pope’s seven centuries towards seven opponents:
- Pope’s journey to those seven centuries started in January 2020 towards South Africa, the place he scored an unbeaten 135 whereas batting at No.6. This was the one century Pope made outdoors the No.3 place.
- He waited two years for his subsequent century, which got here towards New Zealand in Nottingham in January 2022, the place he scored 145. This marked his first hundred whereas batting at No.3.
- In December 2022, Pope scored his third Take a look at century, a quick-fire 108 off 104 balls towards Pakistan in Rawalpindi.
- The fourth century got here in June 2023, an imposing 205 off 208 balls towards Eire at Lord’s, marking his first Take a look at double hundred.
- In January 2024, Pope performed the most effective innings by a visiting batter on Indian soil, scoring 196 runs towards India in Hyderabad.
- Pope’s sixth Take a look at century was in July 2024, when he scored 121 runs towards the West Indies in Nottingham.
- With Friday’s unbeaten 103 towards Sri Lanka at The Oval, Pope accomplished his seven centuries towards seven totally different Take a look at-playing nations in six totally different venues. This achievement is a primary in cricket historical past.
Australia, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, and Afghanistan are the one Take a look at-playing nations towards whom Pope has not but scored a century. Aside from Australia, he has not confronted these groups in his profession to this point.
Ollie Pope’s potential to notch centuries towards such a various set of opponents displays his adaptability and ability, securing his place as a noteworthy determine within the annals of Take a look at cricket.