Ollie Pope misses his double-century, breaks records in Hyderabad
What's the story
England batter Ollie Pope missed his second Test double-century in the 1st Test against India at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, Hyderabad. After reaching three figures on Day 3, Pope fell four runs short of his double-ton. He helped England take the second-innings lead past 200. Notably, Pope slammed the highest score by an Englishman in the second innings of a Test in India.
Knock
Pope helps England extend their lead
Pope arrived in the middle (45/1) on Day 3. He stitched a 68-run partnership with Ben Duckett (47), as England went past 100. They lost four quick wickets and were reduced to 163/5. Pope completed his fifth Test ton, taking England to 316/6 by stumps. On Day 4, Pope built 50+ stands with Rehan Ahmed and Tom Hartley. He fell short of his double-ton.
Double-century
Pope could have reached these landmarks
Pope could have become the fourth England batter to slam a Test double-century in India. Joe Root, Mike Gatting, and Graeme Fowler currently own this record. Pope could have been the only batter from England with a double-century in the third innings of a Test in India. Only Zimbabwe's Andy Flower and New Zealand's Brendon McCullum have a century in this regard.
Information
A special feat for Pope
Pope now has the highest score by an Englishman in the second innings of a Test in India. Overall, he is only the 10th player to record a 150+ score in the second innings against India in India.
Hundred
Pope joined Karunaratne by scoring a ton
Earlier, Pope smashed his maiden hundred in the second innings of a Test. As per Cricbuzz, he became just the second visiting batter to slam a Test hundred in the second innings versus India in India since 2018. Pope joined Sri Lanka opener Dimuth Karunaratne, who made 107 in the 2022 Bengaluru Test in this regard.