Pope Steals The Show

Hits 91 & Buttler passes 50 mark as England end Day One of Third Test on 258/4

Ollie Pope gave the perfect demonstration yesterday of the gifts that will ensure him a long Test future while Jos Buttler provided the most compelling evidence yet of the reasons why England are so reluctant to discard him.

The first day of the deciding Test for the last ever Wisden Trophy belonged to West Indies when England limped into their Emirates Old Trafford dressing room at tea on 131 for four and with their big guns in Ben Stokes and Joe Root both already gone.

But they have another potent weapon in their line-up now in the form of the 22-year-old from Surrey who already seems destined to become England’s next great batsman just 10 matches into his Test career. Pope had his anxious moments against a West Indies side who came close to justifying Jason Holder’s contentious call to again bowl first during the first two sessions when England looked like regretting their decision to go in a batsman light.

But they were few and far between after tea when the always busy Pope started driving and pulling with that rare touch of the highest class to go to an unbeaten 91 in England’s 258 for four that gives them the edge in a Test they have to win.