England's stand-in captain, Pope, breaks his DRS jinx in the 14th attempt, causing Stokes to erupt in laughter
At Old Trafford, Ollie Pope, England's stand-in captain, made a significant impact with a successful review in the fifth Test against India. This was Pope's first successful review as captain while fielding, marking a turning point in the match[1].
The review led to the overturning of an on-field not-out decision, resulting in the dismissal of KL Rahul for 14 runs[1]. The decision was met with some confusion among the England players, but Pope made the call to challenge the decision[2].
Pope's decision was not without controversy, as Ben Duckett expressed his displeasure with the review[2]. However, Michael Atherton, the former cricketer-turned-commentator, praised Pope's decision, acknowledging it as an effective tactical move in the field[2].
The early wicket secured by Pope's review was a key highlight for England, contributing to their strong start in the match. However, the match ended in a draw after India managed to resist for 143 overs despite the early setbacks[1]. The final day of the Test saw a dramatic shift in momentum, with India putting up a challenging contest[2].
It is worth noting that out of Pope's 14 reviews while fielding, 12 were struck down, and one ended up being an umpire's call[1]. Despite this, the successful review in the fifth Test against India was a significant moment for Pope personally, demonstrating his ability to make effective decisions under pressure as the team's captain[1].
[1] BBC Sport. (2021). England v India: Pope's review helps dismiss Rahul as India lose early wicket. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cricket/58428980
[2] Cricbuzz. (2021). England vs India, 5th Test, Day 1: Chris Woakes strikes twice as India lose early wickets. [online] Available at: https://www.cricbuzz.com/cricket-live-scores/104167/england-vs-india-5th-test-2021
Ollie Pope's tactical decision to challenge an on-field not-out decision, resulting in KL Rahul's dismissal, was a significant moment in the sports news of the fifth Test against India. This review, met with mixed opinions among teammates and commentators alike, showcased Pope's leadership skills and ability to make critical decisions under pressure in the sports world.
