Ollie Pope delivered a commanding performance, scoring the first century of England's Ashes tour in the internal warm-up match against the England Lions in Perth. His knock of exactly 100 runs from 113 balls has all but confirmed his position at number three for the first Test against Australia, providing a significant boost to his confidence.
Top Order Sets the Pace
The foundation for England's imposing total of 426 all out was laid by the opening pair of Ben Duckett and Zak Crawley. They put on a formidable stand of 182 runs, with Duckett racing to 92 and Crawley making a solid 82. Their aggressive batting, which included 26 fours and two sixes between them, dominated the morning session on Friday, 14th November 2025.
Despite the strong start from the openers, the world's top-two ranked batters, Joe Root and Harry Brook, both fell cheaply. Root was caught for a single, while Brook was bowled for just two runs during a mini-collapse that saw four wickets fall for 16 runs.
Pope's Innings and Team News
Ollie Pope built meticulously on the platform set by the openers. After a period of careful defence, he unleashed a flurry of attacking strokes, hitting 16 fours and one six on his way to a three-figure score. His innings was a timely statement after a summer where his place was under pressure from Jacob Bethell.
In other significant team news, captain Ben Stokes confirmed his return to full fitness, following up six wickets with the ball with a powerful 77 runs. However, there was concern for fast bowler Mark Wood, who was sent for scans on his hamstring.
Looking Ahead to the Ashes
This warm-up match has provided crucial insights for the England camp. While Pope, Duckett, and Crawley have staked strong claims, the brief outings for Root and Brook serve as a reminder that form must be constantly nurtured. All eyes now turn to the first Ashes Test at Perth's Optus Stadium, where England will hope to carry this momentum against the Australians.
