ENG vs IRE: Ollie Pope hits double century as England continue domination on Day 2 of one-off Test

Ollie Pope’s double hundred and a three-wicket haul from debutant Josh Tongue put England in a commanding position at the end of Day 2 in their one-off Test against Ireland at the Lord’s.

Starting Day 2 at 152 for 1, Ben Duckett and Ollie Pope picked up where they left off. The two batters kept scoring at a positive run-rate as the hosts went past Ireland’s first inning total in quick time. Both the batters went on to complete their centuries as they stitched a 252-run stand for the second wicket.

The Bazball approach was up for display as Duckett scored 182 runs off just 178 deliveries before being cleaned up by Graham Hume in the 60th over. Duckett hit 24 boundaries and a solitary six and propelled England to 361 runs before falling at the hands of Hume.

Former England captain Joe Root came in next and formed yet another big partnership for the hosts. Root and Pope stuck around for a 148-run partnership for the third wicket, which saw Root complete his half-century. Pope then went on to hit the fastest double century on English soil, getting to the milestone in 207 deliveries.

Pope scored 205 runs in 208 balls, hitting 22 boundaries and three sixes before being dismissed by Andy McBrine in the 83rd over. England declared at 524 for 4 following Pope’s wicket and got Ireland to bat before the end of the day.

Tongue rips through Ireland

Debutant Josh Tongue got England off to a perfect start in the third innings, catching Ireland opener Peter Moor LBW in the sixth over. In the same over, Tongue sent Ireland captain Andy Balbirnie back to the pavilion after he edged Tongues’ delivery in the safe grasps of wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow to leave the visitors reeling at 18 for 2.

Ireland’s second opener James McCullum was retired hurt after scoring 12 runs off 26 balls, which saw Paul Sterling come out to bat. Sterling became Tongue’s third wicket of the day as the pacer sent him packing in the 17th over. Harry Tector and Lorcan Tucker stuck around till the end of the day, forming a 34-run partnership to help Ireland finish at 97 for 3 at the end of Day 2. They currently trail England by 255 runs.