Ton-up Pope pulls England into lead in first India Test
Hyderabad, India, AFP: Ollie Pope struck a defiant century to help England bounce back with a lead of 126 after their batting stutter against a persistent Indian attack in the opening Test on Saturday. England’s second innings reached 316-6 at stumps on day three in Hyderabad with Pope (148) and Rehan Ahmed (16) at the crease.
India finished their first innings on 436 with a lead of 190 and had England in trouble at 163-5 when Pope anchored a 112-run stand with wicketkeeper Ben Foakes, who made 34. Pope reached his fifth Test ton and first against India with three runs off Ravindra Jadeja, removing his helmet and raising his bat to soak in the applause.
Pope dug in as he played back-and-forth sweeps to good effect, neutralising India’s forceful spin attack. He survived one misjudged reverse sweep to backward point while on 110 when Axar Patel dropped the catch off Jadeja.
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