Cricket News

'Hype to aise de raha hai jaise ashes me mara ho' - Fans react as Ollie Pope hits fastest double hundred in England against Ireland in one-off Test

England batter Ollie Pope slammed the fastest double hundred in England in a one-off Test against Ireland on Friday.

author-image
Akshay
New Update
Ollie Pope

Ollie Pope (Source: Twitter)

Ollie Pope Ollie Pope (Source: Twitter)

England batter Ollie Pope smashed his maiden double hundred against Ireland on Day 2 of their one-off Test at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on Friday. Pope hit a 207-ball double-hundred to become the fastest double-hundred hitter in England and the seventh fastest in Test cricket. The right-handed batter reached the milestone with a six and fell off the next delivery on 205 off 208 deliveries with 22 fours and three sixes.

Pope's double century was England's second-fastest ever, behind captain Ben Stokes' 163-ball double century against South Africa in 2016. The record for the fastest double century in the longest format is still held by former New Zealand batter Nathan Astle (153-ball double hundred against England in 2002 at Christchurch).

Former India opener Virender Sehwag is ranked third on the elite list, having scored a 168-ball 200 against Sri Lanka in Mumbai in 2009. Sehwag also ranks fourth and sixth on the list, with double hundreds of 182 and 194 balls. England Test team head coach Brendon McCullum, who scored a double century off 194 balls, is fifth on the list.

England on track for a landslide victory over Ireland

English batters displayed another "Bazball" style of playing to thrash Irish bowlers and are on the verge of a resounding victory. After Stuart Broad's fifer and Jack Leach's three-wicket haul, Ireland's first innings was bundled for 172 runs. Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett put on a 100+ run partnership for the first wicket before the former was dismissed for 56 off 45 balls.

After that, Duckett stitched a 252-run partnership with Pope to put their team well ahead in the contest. The left-handed opener also had the opportunity to slam his maiden double hundred earlier on Friday, but he was dismissed for 182 off 178 balls. Former England captain Joe Root hit a half-century before England declared at 524-4.

At the end of the second day, Ireland are still 255 runs behind and are 97-3 after 26 overs. Harry Tector (33* 55) and Lorcan Tucker (21* off 35) are at the crease. All three wickets were taken by Jos Tongue. England will be aiming for an innings victory here and will go into the Ashes with full confidence.

Here's how fans reacted to Ollie Pope's double ton:

Ireland England