Ollie Pope delivered an impressive performance with a century during England’s Ashes warm-up match in Perth. Many members of the England top order gained valuable time at the crease, though Joe Root and Harry Brook faced difficulties. Their struggles could impact their chances before the first Test against Australia.
Match Highlights
Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley provided a solid start, scoring 92 and 82 respectively. Their opening partnership amassed 182 runs, showcasing England’s batting strength. Pope and captain Ben Stokes further built on this foundation with a partnership of 137 runs for the fifth wicket.
Significant Partnerships
- Duckett: 92 runs
- Crawley: 82 runs
- Pope: 100 runs
- Stokes: 77 runs
Despite these contributions, England faced a challenging phase where they lost four wickets for just 16 runs. Both Root and Brook fell in quick succession, adding pressure to the innings. Root, in particular, continued to be the focus of Australian media due to his struggle with centuries in the country.
Player Performances
Pope was clinical in his approach, finishing with a score of 100 runs, which secured his spot for the upcoming Test. Stokes, returning from a shoulder injury, also played a pivotal role, gradually finding his rhythm and scoring 77 runs.
Injury Updates
Mark Wood was present but heavily strapped due to tightness in his left hamstring. The team is currently awaiting the results from a recent scan conducted on the injury.
Looking Ahead
With the first Test against Australia scheduled for November 21, England’s players are keen to capitalize on their warm-up match performances. Crawley expressed optimism, stating, “It was nice to spend some time in the middle, quite a few of the boys got runs there.” He emphasized the team’s readiness for the upcoming challenge.
The warm-up match against the Lions concluded with England scoring 426 runs in response to the Lions’ total of 375, which was initially recorded as 382. This event, combined with the individual performances, sets the stage for an exciting Ashes series.
