Andy Balbirnie Harry Tector Britain Ireland cricket golf on as Andy Balbirnie Harry Tector Britain Ireland

Pope hits heavenly new heights with double ton as England pile on the runs

theguardian.com

Ben Stokes had seen enough. Once Ollie Pope was stumped the very next ball after sealing the fastest Test double-century on English soil with a six, the captain called time on an innings as one-sided as Blackadder’s fictional battle of Mboto Gorge and Ireland’s batting lineup was sent back into the bright sunshine at Lord’s.

Faced with a deficit of 352 runs, still dizzied by the 524 for four England amassed through Pope’s 208-ball 205 and Ben Duckett’s 182 from 178, the visitors held as firm as they could, reaching 97 for three at stumps.

This looks likely to be four down in effect, however, opener James McCollum forced to retire hurt after getting his studs caught in the pitch while evading a short ball and twisting his ankle.

This eye-watering injury came amid a fiery eight-over spell from Josh Tongue that delivered all three strikes and underlined the debutant’s promise.

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England completed a routine 10-wicket victory over Ireland in the Lord's Test on Saturday afternoon, but not before the visitors showed the spirit which had been lacking in the first two days of the match. After a disastrous first innings in which they were rolled for just 172, Ireland had a point to prove in their second dig. Even if the match was out of reach following Ollie Pope's sensational run-a-ball double century, the visitors were playing for more than pride.

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