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Pope adamant England in a 'regular Test' after dominating Ireland

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Last updated on 03 Jun 2023 | 03:08 AM
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Pope adamant England in a 'regular Test' after dominating Ireland

The right-handed batter slammed the fastest double hundred in England to help them post a mammoth 524 runs in a four-day Test

On Friday, Ollie Pope said he still felt involved in a "regular Test match" after his quickfire double century helped England eye a win inside three days in their Ashes warm-up over Ireland at Lord's.

Pope's 205, the fastest double hundred in a Test in England, and Ben Duckett's 182, the quickest 150 in a Test at Lord's, were the cornerstones of England's massive first innings total of 524-4 declared on the second day.

In a rather unusual Test match played over four days as opposed to five, Ireland had slumped to 97-3 in their second innings, a deficit of 255 runs, at stumps on Day two. 

England debutant fast bowler Josh Tongue did the damage with 3-27 and things got worse for Ireland as opener James McCollum's innings was cut short when he retired hurt with an ankle injury.

Pope, asked if this match felt as much of a Test since it was a four-day affair, told reporters: "Absolutely. Credit to Ireland, they've charged in all day -- that was a really good pitch, and the ball was soft."

The 25-year-old England vice-captain, whose innings far exceeded his previous Test best of 145, added: "We are all privileged to play in front of pretty much a packed house at Lord's. I hope everyone, the Ireland team as well. I think it 100 percent felt like a regular Test match."

Despite dominating proceedings in this clash, the middle-order batters Jonny Bairstow and skipper Ben Stokes have not spent any time at the crease in Test cricket this season ahead of the Ashes opener at Edgbaston starting on June 16.

"I guess Jonny didn't bat, but he's played a lot of county cricket. The way cricket is now, there is not always that feeling of you needing a load of innings before a series," said Pope. 

For Ireland, this is just their seventh Test, and although they set up a domestic first-class competition prior to being granted Test status, it was suspended during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Cricket Ireland wanted to restart the tournament this year but could not afford the cost, and plans to revive the event may depend on whether they qualify for the 50-over World Cup in India later this year, which would be worth some one million euros to them.

"We play in Test matches at the minute against guys who have 50, 60 or more first-class games behind them, and some of our guys have less than five," said Ireland batting coach Gary Wilson.

"So it's tough, it's probably not the way we would choose to go about it, but it is what it is, and it doesn't take away from the guys wanting to be out there," he concluded. 

(With inputs from AFP)

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