Why England captain Ollie Pope ‘will regret record-breaking Pakistan cricket clash for the rest of his life’
OLLIE POPE may be the only England Cricket star who will want to forget this week’s record-breaking clash against Pakistan.
Pope was made captain for the Test after Ben Stokes was ruled out with injury, but failed to lead by example at the crease.
England have put up sensational batting numbers in Multan with the visitors posting an eye-popping 823 RUNS.
That number is the highest total ever scored against Pakistan in Test history and the third highest return in England’s history.
Individuals put in some incredible performances with Joe Root racking up 262 runs and Harry Brook achieving a jaw-dropping 317 RUNS.
Root’s efforts even saw him become England’s highest ever Test run scorer, bettering Sir Alastair Cook‘s record of 12,572 runs.
Zak Crawley notched up 78 runs, Ben Duckett hit for 84 and Jamie Smith managed 31 – with the latter doing so despite arriving in the subcontinent without any pads.
And while most would imagine that would be a dream day out for captain Pope, the 26-year-old will in fact be left frustrated given his own batting efforts.
After putting himself out first in the batting order, Pope was caught for a duck.
Pope was spared the embarrassment of a golden duck after he was caught out on his second ball.
England's incredible innings
Here is England's scorecard for their huge innings against Pakistan...
Zak Crawley – 78, 85b, 13 4s, 0 6s
Ollie Pope – 0, 2b, 0 4s, 0 6s
Joe Root – 262, 375b, 17 4s, 0 6s
Ben Duckett – 84, 75b, 11 4s, 0 6s
Harry Brook – 317, 322b, 29 4s, 3 6s
Jamie Smith – 31, 24b, 2 4s, 1 6s
Chris Woakes* – 17, 16b, 1 4s, 0 6s
Gus Atkinson – 2, 2b, 0 4s, 0 6s
Brydon Carse* – 9, 6b, 0 4s, 1 6s
Extras – 23
Total – 823/7 from 150 overs
KEY: b = Balls, * = Not out
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But that didn’t stop England fans from teasing him online with one joking: “Spare a thought for Ollie Pope who in years to come will be asked what he contributed to England’s total of 823″.
While another teased: “Ollie Pope taking the captaincy, getting questioned for a whole summer about his batting position and then putting himself in to open before proceeding to get out for a duck is the most English cricket thing ever”.
And a third joshed: “Ollie Pope will remember this scorecard and regret for the rest of his life.”
In reality, it’s unlikely Pope will care so long as England get the job done with the Three Lions on the cusp of winning.
However, some pundits and ex-pros will feel vindicated by Pope’s dismal display.
England icon Michael Vaughan slammed Pope’s captain credentials after he racked up two single-figure returns in England’s first Test against Sri Lanka in August.
Speaking back then, Vaughan told the Test Match Special podcast: “I don’t like him as the captain, he’s not the kind of personality I’d want as the England captain.
“He’s quite an insecure human being – a great team guy and person but throwing the captaincy on him has added the pressure. He was doing great at number three.
“Harry Brook for me is an England captain in the making. I don’t see Ollie Pope as that person.”