England stand-in captain Ollie Pope created a unique record that has never been achieved in the 147-year-old history of Test cricket during the first day of play in the third and final Test of their series against Sri Lanka on Friday (September 6).
On a rain-hit day and after he lost the toss, Pope ensured England went into stump in a commanding position at 221-3 despite a rare failure for Joe Root. Pope made the 7th Test century of his career and is batting 103 not out overnight after facing as many deliveries.
Earlier in the day, Ben Duckett gave England the perfect with a quick-fire knock of 86 in just 79 balls.
Ollie Pope Creates History
Playing the 49th Test match of his career, England's star number three batter created history by becoming the first player ever to score his first seven Test centuries against seven different teams. Every century Pope has scored so far in his Test career has come against a different opponent at six different grounds.
Pope scored his maiden Test century against South Africa at Gqerbha in 2020 with an unbeaten knock of 135. His next three-figure score, which was his first ton on home soil, came more than two years later against New Zealand in Nottingham with a knock of 145 before making a knock of 108 against Pakistan in Rawalpindi later that year.
Pope's only Test double ton came against Ireland last year at the iconic Lord's Cricket Ground. Earlier this year, Pope played one of the greatest knocks on Indian soil by an overseas player with a stunning innings of 195 against India at Hyderabad. The right-hander has two centuries in the ongoing home summer, with a knock of 121 against the West Indies at Trent Bridge before today's effort against Sri Lanka.
Australia, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, and Afghanistan remain the only team Pope has not scored a century against. Apart from Australia, Pope has not faced the other three teams in his career so far.
Pope made his Test debut in 2018 against England and has made 2823 runs with seven tons at an average of 35.28. Alongside his seven tons, he also has 13 half-centuries to his name.
The first Test of this series in Manchester was Pope's debut as England's captain. The 26-year-old is leading England in all three matches after injury to Ben Stokes. Pope has been Stokes' deputy ever since the star all-rounder was named England's Test captain in 2022.
The century on Friday against Sri Lanka was also the first century for Pope as captain in his Test career.