Goosebumps for Duckett as Pope Shines Under Pressure
Ben Duckett expressed that he felt “goosebumps” as he watched Ollie Pope score a century during the second day of the first Test between England and India at Headingley. Pope was under significant scrutiny as he entered the series, facing calls for Jacob Bethell to potentially replace him in the number three position, especially with the Ashes looming this winter.
Amidst the pressure, Pope delivered a resilient innings, scoring 100 runs off 125 balls, which included 13 fours. His celebration was palpable as he punched the air in triumph after edging an inside delivery to reach his century. This inning has been pivotal for England as they strive to recover after a disappointing day one, where they secured only three wickets, trailing India by 262 runs and reaching 209-3 at stumps on Saturday.
Duckett believes this performance cements Pope’s status as a “match winner” for the team, commenting on his joy to see his teammate achieve such a remarkable feat before the Headingley crowd amidst external distractions. He told Sky Sports, “I had goosebumps for him.”
“He’s an outstanding person and I love batting with him,” Duckett added. “When one of us gets out, he steps in and shoulders the pressure while scoring quickly. He is a significant part of this team.” Duckett also noted that despite the distractions outside the dressing room, Pope’s scoring feats—171 then 100—are impressive. He emphasized, “If he gets in, he converts those starts into hundreds, making him invaluable, especially at number three against India.”
Bumrah Proves His Worth Yet Again
On the other hand, Jasprit Bumrah, currently the world’s top bowler, was the standout performer against England, finishing the day with impressive figures of 3-48. His exceptional delivery accounted for Zak Crawley in the first over, followed by Duckett at 62, and he later dismissed Joe Root (28), marking the tenth time he has taken Root’s wicket in Test cricket.
As the day concluded, Bumrah thought he had claimed a fourth wicket, dismissing Harry Brook for a duck, but it was ruled a no-ball. This incident served as a reminder of the caliber of bowling England will face moving forward. Nasser Hussain from Sky Sports Cricket remarked on Bumrah’s uniqueness, stating, “With his unconventional style, they could have secured more wickets if they had fielded better off him.”
Upcoming Matches in the England vs India Test Series
All matches begin at 11 am (UK and Ireland) and are available live on Sky Sports:
- First Test: Friday, June 20 – Tuesday, June 24 – Headingley
- Second Test: Wednesday, July 2 – Sunday, July 6 – Edgbaston
- Third Test: Thursday, July 10 – Monday, July 14 – Lord’s
- Fourth Test: Wednesday, July 23 – Sunday, July 27 – Emirates Old Trafford
- Fifth Test: Thursday, July 31 – Monday, August 4 – The Kia Oval
