Ollie Pope gives England hope and lead with sublime century against India
Some of the messaging from the England camp can sound delusional at times but internally it clearly has merit. They approached this third day in Hyderabad as if memories of the previous two had been wiped like a politician’s WhatsApp messages, a sublime century from Ollie Pope pushing back against India when all hope appeared lost.
The prospect of this adding up to anything but a 1-0 lead for the hosts still felt an outside bet at the close, England reaching 316 for six and 126 runs ahead. But the fact nothing was settled was to their credit, likewise the architect being one of the players who looked so lost on that grim pandemic tour of India three years ago.
Quick GuideHow do I sign up for sport breaking news alerts?
Show
- Download the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhone or the Google Play store on Android by searching for 'The Guardian'.
- If you already have the Guardian app, make sure you’re on the most recent version.
- In the Guardian app, tap the Menu button at the bottom right, then go to Settings (the gear icon), then Notifications.
- Turn on sport notifications.
Over the course of two sessions, Pope repelled everything India threw at him. And given this included a truly elite burst of reverse swing from Jasprit Bumrah after lunch, one that sent Ben Duckett’s off-stump tumbling and wiped out Joe Root lbw, this was some effort. Come stumps he was unbeaten on 148, his fifth Test century sealed an hour earlier with a wing-heeled dash for three and a beaming smile.
There was a sketchy under-edge between wicketkeeper and slip second ball and a life truly gifted on 110 when Axar Patel dropped a dolly at backward point. But otherwise it was the prince of the Oval out in the middle – rather than the previous pauper in India – as Pope steered his side first to parity and then beyond. Sweeping was his and England’s method overall, Duckett’s earlier 47 having set the tone of the innings.
Support was essential, naturally, with Ben Foakes arriving at a perilous 163 for five and helping to add 102 runs for the sixth wicket through a calm head and those low-slung hands. Not that the latter could offer total protection, Foakes agonisingly bowled for 34 by a shooter from Patel; one of the few gremlins thrown up on a pitch playing well.
Instead it was young Rehan Ahmed who assisted Pope through to the close, the pair trowelling a further 41 runs on to a session of 144 runs overall that, finally, had induced a few sideways glances among Rohit Sharma and his men. Having earlier vaporised Jonny Bairstow and Ben Stokes in quick succession, this was not in the script.
after newsletter promotion
Full report from Hyderabad to follow …