"Beginning of the beautiful journey" - Fans react as Ollie Pope hits 121 off 167 balls in ENG vs WI 2nd Test
England vice-captain Ollie Pope starred with the bat on Day 1 of the ongoing second Test against West Indies (WI) at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Thursday, July 18. The right-hander scored 121 runs off 167 balls with the help of one six and 15 boundaries. It was Pope's sixth ton in Tests (45 matches).
Pope walked in at the crease when the hosts lost Zak Crawley in the first over. He shared a 105-run partnership with Ben Duckett for the second wicket. The 26-year-old also scored 57 in the first Test against West Indies.
Notably, Pope had scored a memorable 196-run innings in the opening Test during the England tour of India.
Fans on X (formerly Twitter) lauded Ollie Pope's gritty knock against WI. One user wrote:
"Ollie Pope hundred against the West Indies, from showing the solidity against the pacers to rotating the strike well against the spinners, he has worked hard for his runs and it’s been a perfect Test match innings as the young Pope is playing the good Cricket. Superb hundred!"
Another user wrote:
"Ollie Pope scores his sixth century. Loads of potential but still hasn't given those returns which were expected. I hope this is just a beginning of the beautiful journey which ppl wanted to see from him."
"Ollie pope might end his career playing 100 tests and averaging like 41 which is kinda crazy when you think about it," a third user added.
Here are a few more reactions:
Ollie Pope’s ton puts England in command on Day 1
A clinical batting display from Ollie Pope and Ben Duckett put England in command against West Indies on Day 1 of the second Test. Apart from Pope, Duckett smashed 71 off 59 deliveries with the aid of 14 boundaries.
At the time of writing, England were 303/5 after 60.3 overs, with captain Ben Stokes and Jamie Smith at the crease.
The hosts are leading the three-match Test series 1-0 following their innings and 134 runs win over Windies in the opening game at Lord’s in London.
Follow the ENG vs WI 2nd Test live score and updates here.