The middle-order batter Ollie Pope smashed a stunning century at Trent’s Bridge after England lost the toss and were made to bat first against West Indies.
Ollie Pope Smashed Sixth Test Century
After leading the series 1-0, the second test match of the West Indies tour of England 2024 started with Ollie Pope leading the hosts to the top by smashing 121 runs on day 01. The 105 partnership runs from Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope recovered England from Zak Crawley’s early dismissal for a duck.
England scored 134 runs before the lunch break as the West Indies struggled after choosing to bowl first. Resuming the match after lunch, Joe Root and Harry Brook both fell in the afternoon session too, but the visitors lost the chance of dismissing Pope twice.
He smashed a Sixth Test Century after smashing 196 runs which helped set up victory in the first test against India in Hyderabad earlier in January.
While speaking to the media after the end of day 01, Ollie Pope said, “It was a really good day, but we also feel we left a couple out there which is a really good sign for us as a batting unit.
“When you get put into bat and put 416 on the board, you can’t complain about that. The pressure Ben Duckett put back on the West Indies bowlers was class and that took the pressure out of it for me.”
Former West Indies bowler Ian Bishop spoke about their performance by the end of day 01. “I would say it’s a day which, from a West Indies perspective, could have been better but could have been worse. They’ll be happy to have taken all 10 English wickets today, but they’ll be disappointed at the run rate which they allowed England to fly off to and continue with through the day.
“With a couple of batters who got set and a hundred for Pope, I think England will say maybe we gave away two or three more wickets than we should have.”
The Pavilion End at the Trent Bridge was renamed after Stuart Broad. Stuart Broad said, “Hearing on commentary that a bowler is coming on from the Stuart Broad End still feels quite surreal. Trent Bridge played such a big role in my inspiration and enthusiasm for the game.
“I grew up watching my Dad here. I ran onto the outfield every lunch and tea break. Then I was lucky enough to play for Nottinghamshire and represent England here.
“I don’t view it as an end named after me but named after my family and the relationship we have with the city of Nottingham, the county, and the club,” concluded Stuart Broad.
