Ollie Pope scored his first century of England’s Ashes tour on day two of the warm-up against the England Lions, strengthening his claim to bat at No 3 for the first Test in Perth on November 21.
Pope made exactly 100 from 113 balls as he looks to press Jacob Bethell for a starting spot; Bethell managed just two when representing the Lions on day one. England openers Ben Duckett (92) and Zak Crawley (82) put on a commanding 182-opening partnership against Andrew Flintoff’s Lions, while captain Ben Stokes contributed 77 as England reached 426.
“Ollie played brilliantly today, he looks in great touch,” Crawley said at the close of play. “He’s in a really good place with his game and he looks very focused.”
There was disappointment for middle-order pair Joe Root (1) and Harry Brook (2). Root was caught after a miscued pull off Durham’s Matthew Potts, and Brook was bowled after charging down the track to Warwickshire’s Nathan Gilchrist. Both players, key to England’s hopes, saw their brief stays contribute to a mini-collapse of 4-16 following a wicketless morning session. They faced a combined 28 deliveries; Brook was particularly impatient, advancing down the track multiple times and attempting an aggressive ramp shot that nearly carried back to seamer Matt Fisher.
Root’s continuing lack of a century in 14 Tests in Australia remains a talking point ahead of the Ashes, but Crawley downplayed concerns: “He’s spent a lot of time in the middle over the last few years. I think he’ll be just fine. We’re doing everything we can with what we’ve got and I feel like we’re going to be ready next week.”
Pope was dismissed shortly after reaching three figures, bowled attempting a sweep off frontline spinner Shoaib Bashir, who finished with 16 overs for 68 and dented his chances of starting the first Test. Mark Wood was sent for scans on a hamstring issue in the afternoon, with hopes he has avoided a serious setback.
In domestic action, two of Australia’s likely first-Test starters, Cameron Green and Marnus Labuschagne, were involved in a dramatic Sheffield Shield finish between Western Australia and Queensland at the WACA. Set 272 to win, Western Australia scraped home by one wicket thanks to an unbroken 23-run final-wicket stand between Corey Rocchiccioli (24no) and Cameron Gannon (10).
All-rounder Green was dismissed for 17 batting at No 4, failing to replicate his first-innings 94, while Labuschagne—expected to open for Australia in Perth—made his biggest impact on the final day with the ball, trapping Aaron Hardie lbw for 12 as Western Australia looked vulnerable before the late recovery.
Ashes series in Australia 2025-26
(All times UK and Ireland)
– First Test: Friday November 21 – Tuesday November 25 (2.30am) – Optus Stadium, Perth
– Second Test (day/night): Thursday December 4 – Monday December 8 (4.30am) – The Gabba, Brisbane
– Third Test: Wednesday December 17 – Sunday December 21 (12am) – Adelaide Oval
– Fourth Test: Thursday December 25 – Monday December 29 (11.30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Ground
– Fifth Test: Sunday January 4 – Thursday January 8 (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Ground