Magnificent Pope misses double ton, helps England set 231 target for India in Hyderabad test
Cricket
Englishmen in 2012 were the last touring side to score 400 in second innings on Indian soil
HYDERABAD (Reuters/Web Desk) – England were all out for 420 in their second innings, setting India 231 to win the opening test at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Sunday.
Ollie Pope was the last England batter out at the stoke of lunch on day four after his sublime 196, which contained 21 fours after the hosts managed 190-run lead by posting 436 in their first innings in response to a total of 246.
England risked defeat inside three days before vice-captain Pope dug his heels in to produce one of the finest knocks by a touring batter in India. They were in a perilous position with the half of the team back in pavilion at 163, meaning that they were still 27 runs behind.
He got strong support from the England tail with Rehan Ahmed (28) and Tom Hartley (34) producing useful cameos to set India a tricky target on a spinning track.
The last time a team got 400 in the second innings against India in India was England in Ahmedabad in 2012 – a 4-Test series which the tourists 2-1 after the first. It has happened only eight times in the whole history of Test cricket in India.
Jasprit Bumrah (4-41) dismissed Ahmed after play resumed on day four, but debutant Hartley continued to frustrate the home side while Pope continued accumulating runs at the other end.
Pope got a life on 186 when KL Rahul dropped him in the slip off Mohammed Siraj.
Ravichandran Ashwin (3-126) eventually dismissed Hartley and Bumrah ended Pope's vigil when he uprooted the off-stump after the batter had attempted a reverse-scoop.
Jack Leach was seen hobbling, having injured his knee while fielding but England will hope the left-arm spinner is available to bowl.
The tourists will also take heart from Joe Root's first-innings figures of 4-79 in the part-time spinner's role.
