Champion County match: Ollie Pope makes 251 for Surrey
Last updated on .From the section Cricket

MCC Champion County match, ICC Global Cricket Academy, Dubai (day three) |
MCC 265 & 221-1: Sibley 102*, Rhodes 88 |
Surrey 520: Pope 251, Smith 127; Parry 3-54 |
MCC trail by 34 runs |
Scorecard |
Play resumes at 06:00 GMT on Wednesday - listen live on BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra and the BBC Sport website and app |
England batsman Ollie Pope started the 2019 campaign with a career-best 251 before Surrey's bowlers struggled in their Champion County match with MCC.
The 21-year-old, who won two Test caps last summer, added 68 to his overnight 183 to help Surrey reach 520 all out.
Teenage debutant Jamie Smith was removed early on for 127 by MCC captain Stuart Broad (2-83) in Dubai, ending a fifth-wicket stand of 266 with Pope.
Dom Sibley's unbeaten 102 then took MCC to 221-1 at stumps, a deficit of 34.
Warwickshire openers Will Rhodes and Sibley put on 190 for the first wicket in MCC's second innings before Rhodes was bowled by Scott Borthwick for 88 late on.
Earlier Pope, who did not play on England's winter tours of Sri Lanka and West Indies, gave a reminder of his talent as he brought up a maiden double-century.
In the midst of a sandstorm, Pope went on the charge after passing 200 and went to 250 by launching Dom Bess for back-to-back maximums.
He was eventually dismissed in the next over when he skied Rhodes to Sibley at mid-off, having hit 23 fours and six sixes in a sublime 297-ball innings.
However, MCC's resilience with the bat second time around means the game is now likely to finish in a draw.
Following the conclusion of the match on Wednesday, Surrey host Durham University on Thursday, 4 April, and then start the defence of their County Championship title against Essex at The Oval a week later.
Analysis
Mark Church, Surrey commentator for BBC Radio London in Dubai
Such is the impact that Ollie Pope has made that you tend to forget that this is only the start of his second first-class season.
He looked every inch the England batsman, in that he constructed his 251 against a very good MCC attack including Stuart Broad.
Every time he walks to the middle he looks assured and this innings was full of positive footwork and strokeplay.
Every test that has been put in front of him so far he has passed and it is only a matter of time before he is pulling on an England shirt again.
He has also proved here in Dubai that he can bat in all conditions including sand, as most of his double hundred was made in the middle of a sandstorm.
Comments
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Surrey have a real wealth of talent at their disposal. That Smith lad looks good too. A 100 on debut is no mean feat against that MCC line-up.
I say get him in for Ireland and hopefully he will flourish during the Ashes!
"Why the hate?! Broad is an 80mph trundle nowadays!"
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13 people (at time of writing) downvoting your comment isn't "hate". Hate is wanting you dead, or wishing harm comes to you. Downvoting just means we don't find your comment either accurate or funny.
The sooner people learn the difference between hate and disagreement, the better.
Well perhaps if you used one you'd understand the meaning of words and use them properly. Then perhaps you wouldn't get so many downvotes.
The overuse of the word hate is a serious problem that is being used to hide from criticism and prevent free speech. It also belittles the difficulties of those who suffer genuine hate.
At the moment he needs to be in the middle order (4 to 6) and unless Root moves up to 3 (which he should, of course) or Bairstow/Stokes/Buttler get dropped (unlikely), there just isn't a place available.
Forgive me, but how does one innings in a sandstorm in Dubai prove he can bat in any conditions _except_ for in a sandstorm in Dubai?
Being March didn't stop Hildreth making 158 not out today in England.
Off the back of that double century, Sibley wanted guaranteed first eleven top 4 batting spot. Alec Stewart said can't do that - so he left. I'm with Stewart.
Agree while Root is captain he will not bat at 3.
But if Pope keeps scoring like he did last season and has started this season Root should be pushed up.
This match has been played in the Middle East (and, last year, the Caribbean) for years. It was initially moved to test out day-night matches, which wasn't really feasible in England in March/April.