Ollie Pope breaks record with double-century on day of rapid, run-soaked England plunder

Ollie Pope led the way for England with a first Test double hundred as the home side piled on the runs in rapid time at Lord’s.

Ben Stokes eventually put Ireland out of their misery, declaring with his side on 524-4 after 82.4 overs after the fall of Ollie Pope’s wicket for 205. Records have tumbled throughout Stokes’ reign as captain and it was more of the same on day two at Lord’s.

England’s scoring rate of 6.33 runs per over was the second-fastest ever in a 500-plus team score. The record? England’s 6.50 runs per over when they racked up 657 against Pakistan at Rawalpindi in December last year. Those are the only two instances of a team scoring more than 500 runs at quicker than a run a ball. In fact, no other team has come close with third place being Sri Lanka’s 5.36 runs per over against Bang

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