Ollie Pope, England’s vice captain, expressed confidence in England’s ability to score 600 runs in a single Test day.
England Test vice captain Ollie Pope believes the era of 600-run days in Test cricket is on the horizon. The Ben Stokes-led side has showcased their aggressive batting style, although with a slightly tempered approach compared to the previous season, to great effect in the ongoing series against the West Indies.
England has taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series, with Pope playing a crucial role in their success. The team’s ability to score at a rapid pace was evident in the second Test, where they amassed 50 runs in just 4.2 overs.
“There’s a real hunger—there always is a hunger—but now there’s an extra bit in that batting line-up. We want to be as ruthless as we can as a batting unit, but we still play the way we do because that’s our natural game. Obviously, being ruthless is part of Test cricket as well,” Ollie Pope said ahead of the third Test of the series.
The aggressive batting approach, known as “Bazball,” was initially met with scepticism about its viability in subcontinent conditions. However, England silenced critics with a dominant performance in Pakistan, scoring 657 runs in the first Test on a flat pitch.
“I got asked on day one at Trent Bridge, ‘do you get told to play like that?’. No, we don’t. It’s just our natural games and the way we go about it. Sometimes we might score 280 to 300 in a day, but that’s OK, and probably because we’re reading situations. There might also be a day where we go and get 500 to 600 at some point in the future as well. And that’s a cool thing to have,” Pope added.
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Ollie Pope’s century in that match, along with contributions from other batters, showcased England’s ability to adapt their style to different conditions. As the team continues to evolve, the prospect of even more extraordinary batting performances becomes increasingly likely.
With the series against the West Indies nearing its conclusion, England will be aiming to complete a whitewash and further solidify their position in the World Test Championship standings.
Last Updated on July 24, 2024