Surrey amassed 672-8 against Leicestershire thanks to a stunning 245 by Ollie Pope while Hampshire had Middlesex on the ropes at the Rose Bowl
Ollie Pope made a glorious 245 and Jamie Smith his maiden County Championship century as Surrey made the most of a sun-kissed Oval to reach a mammoth 672 for eight declared against Leicestershire.
Pope, whose form has been comparatively patchy, was pure velvet as he stroked his ninth first-class century for Surrey in just his 27th match – his footwork immaculate, his timing to sigh for in a seven-hour stay at the crease. Smith reached his hundred with a six and Surrey declared with a lead of 297, leaving Leicestershire to successfully navigate 17 overs.
Pope out for a gorgeously golden 245. A fifty for James Hildreth as Somerset quietly reach a sufficiently-bolstered target for their bowlers: 126. After 6.2 overs Durham have at last got a run – and a leg bye: 2-2. Warwickshire 10-0 chasing Nottinghamshire’s wildest dream.
Time for me to construct a round-up but I’ll be hanging on here, just below the surface, bubbling up for air. Keep your eye on Chelmsford and Taunton for me.
Written by Tanya Aldred at Old Trafford
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2021/apr/17/lancashire-v-northants-and-more-county-cricket-day-three-live under the title “Pope hits 245 for Surrey: county cricket – as it happened”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
