Ollie Pope: Relief trumps nerves as England batsman made to wait for century moment

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After 43 runs across four innings in the last couple of weeks, Ollie Pope does not mind going to bed on 91 not out, with a second Test hundred on the horizon.

He admits he might need a bit of help to rest his head – “I’ll switch off for the evening, maybe take a sleeping tablet before bed” – but, largely, nerves will be trumped by relief. Not just for him, but England, too.

Jason Holder won the toss and put Joe Root’s side in to bowl, and when Pope arrived at the crease on 92 for three, and was joined by Jos Buttler on 122 for four, West Indies were very much in the match and on their way to at least ruling out a defeat that would see them retain the Wisden Trophy.

But the pair ensured there were no further losses through to stumps, putting on 136 in 38 overs, ready to do it all again tomorrow with England now a little more comfortable on 244 for four.

“I was happier than I was when I chopped on for 12!” answers Pope when it was put to him that the hours to wait before being able to pick off those nine remaining runs may feel like days. The dismissal in question came in the second innings of the first Test, which England lost by four wickets after setting West Indies just 200 for victory.

The mistakes then were learned a week later here at Emirates Old Trafford with 469 for nine scored in the first innings of the second Test, which saw the hosts square the series. And while reaching that century is on the agenda – it would be his 10th in first-class cricket – another sizeable score, albeit one that rests on Pope and Buttler tomorrow as the last two “specialist” batsmen, is just as important.

“That’s a massive part of our team ethic. We want to try and bat long as individuals and get those 400-plus first-innings scores. I think in an ideal world we won’t need some of the lower order to do that. Hopefully we can do that ourselves.”

The personal score also goes some way to alleviating the stresses of being in the bubble. Not being able to get away from the ground – most of the players’ rooms look out onto the field both here and at the Ageas Bowl – is an additional stress for those out of form to deal with.

“It’s a real nice feeling (getting a score). I’ve missed out in those first two games. I’ve not been able to get away: obviously you’re back at your hotel after getting out in the last few overs of the day and you’re looking over the cricket ground.

“You can naturally think about your batting, think about your failures more than normal. Hopefully I can go on and make it a big one. That’s part of cricket – you have to try and stay as level as you can, especially as a batter. There are as many bad days as good days, even for the best players in the world.”

Pope’s previous highest score at home was 28, though this is only his fifth Test at home out of 10 caps. Beyond his success, and the jitters that come with being not out on 91, England need to beat West Indies to win the series and the trophy, and thus also need to beat the weather which, according to certain forecasts, may see large chunks washed out.

“Hopefully it doesn’t rain all day tomorrow and we get a chance to go out there and put on a few more runs,” said Pope, speculatively.

An agonising wait for him will be just as agonising for England.