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Making the seventh test century of his career and the first as captain in the third test of England vs Sri Lanka Test Series at the Oval. Star England hitter Ollie Pope created history. Ben Stokes, the regular skipper, is injured, hence Pope is guiding England in the current series. Having a 2-0 advantage, England wants to finish a whitewash.
On Friday, September 6, England stand-in captain Ollie Pope set a record never seen in the 147-year-old history of Test cricket on the first day of action in the third and last Test of their series against Sri Lanka.
Pope guaranteed England went into bat in a dominant posture at 221-3 despite a rare failure for Joe Root on a rain-hit day and following his lost the toss. Having faced as many deliveries, Pope made the 7th test century of his career and is batting 103 not out.
Ben Duckett gave England the ideal start earlier in the day with a quick-fire smash of 86 in just 79 balls.
Ollie Pope Creates History:
England's star number three batsman made history by being the only player ever to score his first seven Test hundreds against seven different teams during the 49th Test match of his career. Pope has so far in his Test career came against a different opponent at six different grounds every century.
At Gqerbha in 2020 Pope recorded his first Test century against South Africa with an undefeated knock of 135. After his first ton on home ground, his second three-figure score came more than two years later against New Zealand in Nottingham with a knock of 145 then against Pakistan in Rawalpindi later that year.
Pope's sole Test double ton came against Ireland at the venerable Lord's Cricket Ground last year. Pope struck one of the best knocks on Indian territory earlier this year with an incredible 195 against India at Hyderabad from an international player. With a knock of 121 against the West Indies at Trent Bridge before today's effort against Sri Lanka, the right-handed has two century in the current home season.
Pope still has not struck a century against Australia, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, or Afghanistan. Pope has not so far faced the other three teams in his career aside Australia.
Pope debuted in the Test against England in 2018 and has averaged 35.28 by accumulating 2823 runs with seven tons. Apart from his seven tons, he boasts thirteen half-centuries.
Pope's first Test of this series in Manchester marked his captaincy debut for England. Following Ben Stokes's injuries, the 26-year-old is guiding England in all three games. Ever since the all-rounder from England was appointed Test captain for 2022, Pope has been Stokes' deputy.
Friday against Sri Lanka also marked the first century for Pope in his Test career.