ENG vs IRE: Twitter erupts as Ollie Pope slams second fastest Test double century for England at Lord’s

Test cricket has witnessed numerous outstanding knocks over the years with some breathtaking quickfire knocks. A similar sort of batting display was seen during the second day of the ongoing one-off Test between England and Ireland when Ollie Pope smacked a sensational double century.

It was Pope’s maiden double hundred in the longest format. The right-handed batter reached the mark with a six and fell off the next delivery on 205 off 208 deliveries with 22 fours and three sixes. Pope’s century was the second-fastest by an England batter after captain Ben Stokes’ 163-ball double hundred against South Africa in 2016.

Notably, former New Zealand batter Nathan Astle still holds the record for the fastest double-century in the longest format. The Black Caps legend took only 153 deliveries to reach the benchmark against England in 2002 at Christchurch.

Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag is ranked third on the list with a 168-ball 200 against Sri Lanka in Mumbai in 2009. Sehwag, who has twin triple centuries, also holds a 182-ball double hundred to his name.

Fastest 200s in Tests:

• 153 balls – Nathan Astle
• 163 balls – Ben Stokes
• 168 balls – Virender Sehwag
• 182 balls – Virender Sehwag
• 186 balls – Brendon McCullum
• 194 balls – Virender Sehwag
• 207 balls – Ollie Pope*

Here is how Twitter reacted:

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Fastest Test double-century in England 💥

Proud of you, @OPope32 🫶

🤎 | #SurreyCricket pic.twitter.com/gmfURRZszj

— Surrey Cricket (@surreycricket) June 2, 2023

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Double hundred by Ollie Pope in just 207 balls. What a stupendous knock by Pope, he’s batting exceptionally.

Maiden double ton in Tests for Pope! pic.twitter.com/sBhXKehlV7

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) June 2, 2023

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What a knock from @OPope32 👏🏻 pic.twitter.com/sxviJd30pf

— Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) June 2, 2023

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A fantastic double ton for @OPope32, will now hopefully carry this great form into the Ashes.

— AmerCric 🏏 ✍️ (@Amermalik12) June 2, 2023

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So @OPope32 has gone from seeing the ball as a marble to a beach ball all in one innings. Some innings to watch this. Fair play. #engire

— Luke Crane (@Actrollvision) June 2, 2023

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First double hundred in test cricket for Ollie Pope against Ireland in The Lords 🏏 pic.twitter.com/zal6SKjlLZ

— Shahzaib Ali 🇵🇰 (@DSBcricket) June 2, 2023

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Ollie Pope’s Test batting average at No.3 is now above 50.

No other England cricketer in the last 50 years has achieved this (minimum 20 innings).#ENGvIRE

— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) June 2, 2023

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Double hundred for Ollie Pope.

205* from just 207 balls against Ireland in Lord’s, What a knock it has been, total dominance. pic.twitter.com/HNaxu2UFHf

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) June 2, 2023

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Joe Root and Ollie Pope scored 61 runs in last 6 overs and their Run-rate 10.17 in Test cricket at Lord’s. pic.twitter.com/QVcU5jGoS3

— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) June 2, 2023

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Joe Root and Ollie Pope scored 61 runs in last 6 overs and their Run-rate 10.17 in Test cricket at Lord’s. pic.twitter.com/QVcU5jGoS3

— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) June 2, 2023