‘Goosebumps when he got his hundred’ – Duckett on Pope’s defining ton

Ollie Pope's Defining Ton

Ollie Pope's ninth Test century was a momentous occasion, marked by a spontaneous burst of relief and joy. After scoring his eighth Test hundred in his previous innings, Pope was under pressure to perform, especially with Warwickshire's rising star, Jacob Bethell, waiting in the wings.

Pope's innings was a brisk counterattack, scoring 31 off 25 balls, despite a few shaky moments. He flicked the first ball he faced to the square leg boundary, setting the tone for his innings. Although he had a nervy LBW call and a sharp chance put down by Yashasvi Jaiswal, Pope's hundred was a timely and terrific reaffirmation of his abilities.

This innings was significant not only for Pope's immediate future in England's Test XI but also in the broader arc of his career. Coming into this Test, Pope averaged just 22.05 across 18 matches against India and Australia. This hundred repaid the faith shown in him and proved he could deliver when the stakes were high.

Ben Duckett, who shared a stand of 122 with Pope, praised his teammate's achievement, saying, "It was goosebumps when he got his hundred, you could see what it meant to him." Duckett also acknowledged the challenge of facing Jasprit Bumrah, calling him the "best bowler in the world."