ENG vs IRE | Duckett, Pope and Root Hammer Ireland on Day 2 as England Mounts Big Lead
Pope slammed his maiden Test double century [Twitter]
England’s overnight batters Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope ran rampant on Day 2 as the duo struck majestic hundreds against a bruised Irish attack. Both cricketers unfurled their career-best Test scores, with the latter of the two even reaching his maiden double ton in the format.
Later in the day, hosts pacer Josh Tongue flattened Ireland’s second innings response as visitors head towards Day 3 of the four-day match with an uphill task in front of them.
Duckett and Pope register landmark centuries
Ben Duckett raced to 150 at run-a-ball to slam the fastest ever Test 150 at Lord’s. The opening batter struck 24 boundaries and a six in his 182-run effort and formed a 252-run second-wicket stand with number three Ollie Pope. The duo formed forces at the crease at 109-1 on Day 1, and resumed their partnership on second morning at 152-1.
Meanwhile, Pope himself bludgeoned an imposing 205, and was instrumental in his side’s rapid run-scoring tempo throughout their first innings. The right-hander reached his double century with a six from his 207th delivery, thus making him the fastest batter in history to score a Test 200 in England.
Joe Root piled on the Irish pain with a 59-ball 56, and completed 11,000 Test runs, before he was cleaned up by Andy McBrine. The off-spinner also removed Pope a while later, a dismissal which prompted hosts skipper Ben Stokes to declare with a lead of 352 runs.
Apart from McBrine, visiting pacers Graham Hume and Fionn Hand also claimed a wicket each in England’s monumental innings.
Debutant Josh Tongue strikes early before Tector, Tucker steady ship
England’s debutant Josh Tongue, who went wicketless in the first innings, struck thrice in the final session of the day to claim his first set of wickets in Test cricket. The speedster trapped visiting opener Peter Moor in front of stumps before sending captain Andy Balbirnie cheaply back to the pavilion.
Harry Tector scored a tough 33* by stumps, and formed an unbeaten 34-run partnership with wicketkeeper Lorcan Tucker. The duo saw off the English attack until close of play, taking Ireland to 97-3, still an innings and 255 runs behind England.
Brief Scores:
Ireland: 172 all out (56.2 overs)
James McCollum 36 (108), Curtis Campher 33 (79)
Stuart Broad 5-51 (17), Jack Leach 3-35 (14)
England: 524-4d (82.4)
Ollie Pope 205 (208), Ben Duckett 182 (178)
Andy McBrine 2-99 (13.4), Graham Hume 1-85 (17)
Ireland: 97-3 (26)
Harry Tector 33* (55), Lorcan Tucker 21* (35)
Josh Tongue 3-27 (8)
Ireland trail by 255 runs
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