With Joe Root for once failing to bring up a huge score in England’s first innings at the Oval, the hosts again struggled to post a significant score without him. Ollie Pope, though, was the man to ease the troubles, bringing up his half-century in fluid fashion. His knock formed a key part of a potentially game-saving partnership with Jonny Bairstow, and included all the breezy shot-making we have grown accustomed to seeing from the Surrey man. With only one Test hundred to his name, Pope will be desperate to turn this into a big one.
An excellent 5️⃣0️⃣ @OPope32! 👏
Scorecard/Clips: https://t.co/Kh5KyTSOMS @IGCom | 🏴 #ENGvIND 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/KUli5vQjlw
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) September 3, 2021
