The innings from the 25-year-old youngster included 22 fours and three sixes. Pope, who brought up his hundred in 127 balls, first got to his 150 with a boundary and later completed his double hundred in the 83rd over of England’s first innings by smashing a six.
Some way to reach your
Stand and deliver, @OPope32 ????
???? @IGcom
#EnglandCricket | #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/R0TJWUD9e4— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 2, 2023
He got out on the next delivery by Andy McBrine as England declared at 524/4. Ian Botham was previously holding the record for fastest double hundred in England. He had taken 220 balls in a Test match against India at the Oval in 1982.
Gordon Greenidge (232 balls vs England at Lord’s in 1984) and Don Bradman (242 vs England at Oval in 1943) are third and fourth on the elite list.
Further, Pope’s 207-ball double ton is the seventh fastest in Test cricket. It’s the second fastest by an England batter. Current England Test Captain Ben Stokes slammed a double hundred off just 163 balls against South Africa in Cape Town in 2016.
Fastest Test Double Hundreds
153 balls – Nathan Astle – New Zealand vs England in Christchurch 2022
163 balls – Ben Stokes – England vs South Africa in Cape Town in 2016
168 balls – Virender Sehwag – India vs Sri lanka in Mumbai in 2009
182 balls – Virender Sehwag – India vs Pakistan in Lahore in 2006
186 balls – Brendon McCullum – New Zealand vs Pakistan in Sharjah in 2014
194 balls – Virender Sehwag – India vs South Africa in Chennai in 2008
207 balls – Ollie Pope – England vs Ireland in London in 2023
The Chelsea-born cricketer also brought up his 2000 runs during the course of the innings. With the help of four hundreds and 11 fifties, Pope has now scored 2046 runs in 36 Test matches at an average of 35.28.
Talking about the 4-day one-off Test between England and Ireland at the Lord’s Cricket Ground, the visitors were bundled out for 172 in their first innings after a five-fer from Stuart Broad. In reply, England opener Ben Duckett scored 182 off 178 and was well supported by Zak Crawley who contributed with 56 runs.
Former England captain Joe Root also scored 56 runs off 59 balls. Harry Brook was unbeaten on nine off seven when England declared their first innings.
Stay connected with us on social media platform for instant update click here to join our Twitter, & Facebook
We are now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@TechiUpdate) and stay updated with the latest Technology headlines.
For all the latest Cricket News Click Here
