SL vs ENG: Ollie Pope records a unique achievement in test cricket with 7th century

Ollie Pope returned to form in the third test against Sri Lanka at The Oval.

After managing only 30 runs across four innings in two tests against Sri Lanka, Ollie Pope bounced back to form with a splendid century in the third test at The Oval to dispel doubts about the added pressure of captaincy. And with this ton, he recorded a unique feat in test cricket which no other batsman had ever made.

While he had been impressive in the first two tests as a captain, leading the side in the absence of the injured Ben Stokes, Pope’s low scores raised doubts. However, he has banished those concerns with a terrific ton in London, scoring 103 runs off 103 balls on day 1 of the test and remaining not out by stumps, which was called only after 44.1 overs due to bad light.

After Ben Duckett’s 86 (79), Pope’s 103* helped England finish day 1 with 221/3 at a run rate of five runs per over.

Ollie Pope scores his first seven test centuries against seven different opposition

By some quirk of fate, Ollie Pope has gone down in history books with a unique record for hitting his first seven test centuries against seven different oppositions.

Pope has recorded a century each against South Africa, New Zealand, Pakistan, Ireland, India, West Indies and Sri Lanka. He’s now hit his last three centuries in three consecutive series, including a match-winning knock of 196 against India in Hyderabad.

Duckett said of Pope’s ton, “I know what it’s like at the top of the order, and he’s had a far better summer than I have,” Duckett added. “The fact of the matter is he’s batting No. 3 in England, which is one of the toughest spots to bat in. To block that out and go and score an incredible hundred today was so good, and you could see that from his emotions as well. We’re all extremely happy for him.”

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