Ollie Pope said a couple of tough years between Test centuries poured out in emotion when he reached three figures on day three at Trent Bridge.
Pope was England’s first centurion of a busy day’s batting that saw the team rack up 473 for five and Joe Root reach stumps 163 not out.
That is Root’s 10th century since the start of 2021, and sixth score of more than 150. Pope, meanwhile, has found life tougher, and had not made a hundred since his first in Test cricket, in January 2020.
His move to No3 has brought a century in its second match, and he expressed delight, having eventually been dismissed for 145.
“I was just buzzing,” he said. “It’s not been the easiest ride over the last year or so, a few tough tours away and I didn't play a massive amount last summer.
“Once I got over the line, it was a relief but I was just so happy. You have to take in those moments, which is something I’ve come to realise over the past couple of years.”
Pope is playing his 24th Test, and admits it is time to kick on.
"I’ve never doubted that my game isn’t there for Test cricket but I’ve used this last however long since I made my debut as a massive bank of knowledge,” he said.
“I’ve been lucky enough to tour some amazing places in different conditions and it hasn’t always been an easy ride, places like India and Australia, they’ve provided different challenges.
“But I’ve tried to see these games as: right, they’ve not all gone to plan, I’ve not got the numbers I’d have liked to necessarily after 24 Tests but I’ve learned so much about my own game and so much about test cricket in general that now I can hopefully start making myself the cricketer that I want to be in Test cricket.”
