Pope has England in control
Ollie PoPe admitted last night he thought he was out before he had reached three figures as england took charge of the third Test against South Africa.
Pope’s unbeaten 135, along with a ninth Test century for Ben Stokes, lifted england to the rare riches of 499 for nine before off-spinner Dom Bess took two wickets when South Africa replied with 60 for two on the second day.
But it could have been a different story had Stokes not urged Pope to review the lbw decision given by Bruce oxenford off Dane Paterson when he was on 74.
‘i thought i was heading back to the changing room to be honest,’ said the 22-year-old. ‘When Stokesy told me to review with two seconds left (it was actually four), i thought he was clutching at straws. When we watched the replay and saw the green light, it was a pretty good feeling.’
Pope (below) described the ‘special moment’ when he clipped Kagiso Rabada for four to reach the first of what should be many hundreds for england.
‘i was lucky enough to see Dom Sibley get his first Test hundred last week,’ said Pope. ‘And i saw Ben Foakes get his in Sri lanka. i’ve always been ecstatic for them and thought it must be an amazing feeling. So to actually do it today was awesome and a pretty special moment.’ Stokes, who celebrated his own century by paying tribute to his seriously ill father Ged, said: ‘That knock showed to everyone around the world just how exciting the talent is within our group. ‘ollie’s record in first-class cricket is phenomenal but however good you are, you are always wanting to put in a big performance in Test cricket to know you can play at this level.’ england captain Joe Root had called his batsmen in at the ‘fall’ of Mark Wood’s wicket when they had made 467 before he then ‘undeclared’ when replays showed Rabada had overstepped. Really, umpires should go back to calling no-balls on the field, as they have done throughout cricket history, rather than relying on the TV cameras — or go the whole hog and introduce ‘goal-line’ technology. either has to be better than the shemozzle of on-field umpires abdicating all responsibility for an integral part of their job. it just about capped the most miserable of days for South Africa’s spearhead who started it by being controversially suspended for the final Test on his home ground at the Wanderers when the iCC handed him a fourth demerit point within 24 months for his overzealous celebration of Joe Root’s wicket on day one. The decision sparked debate over whether Rabada should be banned under the totting-up procedure. The hosts will be without one of their most important players in Johannesburg and the final Test will be lesser for it. Not for the first time, the iCC have misjudged the mood.