Ollie Pope breaks record for quickest Test double century in England as Tongue takes first Test wickets

ByLewis Mason

Published 02/06/2023 at 19:24 GMT+1

England continued to dominate their one-off Test match against Ireland at Lord's and built a commanding lead against a faltering opponent. Ollie Pope starred with the bat as he collected 205 runs, while Ben Duckett fell just short of a double hundred. Pope eclipsed Ian Botham's record for the number of balls it took him to reach 200. Josh Tongue took his first two Test wickets.

Ollie Pope

Image credit: Getty Images

Ollie Pope has broken the record for the quickest Test double hundred to be made in England on a day dominated by the hosts at Lord’s.

He reached 200 in just 207 balls on a completely one-sided day of cricket against Ireland.

Pope reached the milestone with a huge six, although he was bowled out with the next delivery.

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Ian Botham previously held the record after achieving the feat in 220 balls against India back in 1982, while it took Gordon Greenidge 232 balls when playing for the West Indies at Lord’s in 1984.

It was the first time Pope had hit a Test double hundred, while Ben Duckett collected 182 runs on day two of the one-off match, as England continued their preparations for the Ashes.

Pope took the headlines, but it was also a successful day for former captain Joe Root as he passed 11,000 Test runs with a comfortable half century.

Ben Stokes called his team in with a declaration when they were 524-4, just after Pope’s tirade on the Irish bowlers had ended.

It was then the turn of Josh Tongue to step into the limelight as he took his first Test wickets - striking twice in one over.

He finished the day with three wickets.

Ireland trail by 255 runs and will resume on 97-3.