Ton-up Pope makes Windies pay for dropped catches in second Test

England vs West Indies 2nd Test: Unbeaten century by Ollie Pope leads England to 259-4 at tea against West Indies.

Ollie Pope rode his luck to an unbeaten century as England reached 259-4 at tea on the first day of the second Test against the West Indies at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

Pope, dropped twice, was 115 not out, with England captain Ben Stokes unbeaten on 15.

Earlier, Ben Duckett had launched the innings with a rapid 71 after fellow opener Zak Crawley fell for a duck.

A youthful West Indies side harmed their own cause by missing several chances.

Pope should have been out for 46 when a square-cut off Jayden Seales was dropped by Alick Athanaze at backward point.

The England vice-captain was reprieved again on 54 when the usually reliable Jason Holder floored a chest-high chance at second slip following Pope's loose drive off Shamar Joseph.

West Indies did dismiss Joe Root for 14 when he top-edged a pull off Seales, but even then Alzarri Joseph almost floored what should have been a simple catch before grabbing the ball one-handed at the third attempt.