Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Sporting ExcitementSporting Excitement

Cricket

Ollie Pope reckons he has made it as England batsman as captain Joe Root copies his ramp shot

, Ollie Pope reckons he has made it as England batsman as captain Joe Root copies his ramp shot

OLLIE POPE knew he had arrived as a Test batsman when his boyhood hero Joe Root started copying him.
Pope has been the most impressive of the cluster of young players who helped propel England to a come-from-behind 3-1 series win.

Joe Root and Ollie Pope wait for the presentations after England won the Third Test

His batting has style, balance and a textbook technique allied to plenty of unorthodox shots – such as ramps – borrowed from white ball cricket.
Pope also has a calm, calculating temperament. Oh, and hes selfless when England need quick runs.
Pope and Root put on 101 in Englands first innings of the Fourth Test, laying the foundation for their victory by 191 runs.
And the Surrey batsman revealed a special moment during their partnership.
He said: Rooty has been one of my favourite players growing up, watching him play over the last ten years has been awesome.
It was quite funny because he hit a shot one of those ramps and said, I learned that one from you! Thats a big compliment from one of my favourite players.
But Ive learned a lot from him – thats just the way batting works.
Sometimes, Ill be bogged down and grafting and other times it will come a little easier.
Last summer, when Pope was out for three months following shoulder surgery, he impressed with his dedication to rehab and recovery.

Now his desire to learn and improve suggests he will enjoy a long and productive international career.
Pope added: Just look at the guys around, youll definitely never stand still. Rooty and Stokesy set a benchmark from a batting point of view.
Theyre always looking ahead, always thinking about the next series and how they can best prepare. Thats definitely what Ill be trying to do.
Ill keep working on my technique and temperament so I can brush away whatever flaws I have.
This series has been good for Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley and myself. Weve made some runs which gives us the confidence to know we can do it at this level. And winning is fantastic.
We have a new set of lads and know things wont happen overnight. But we hope winning this series is just the start.
The cricket in Sri Lanka in March will be completely different from a batting point of view. The wickets here have been pretty quick but Sri Lanka might open the bowling with spin.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.

Ill chat to someone like Rooty, whos done very well in Sri Lanka, and try to pick his brain. I bat at a similar tempo to him.
I feel I can offer a lot at No.6, whether Im coming in at 40 for four or 250 for four. I can adapt my game. But Ill bat where Im told. I feel like I have a good enough game to deal with wherever bat.
After winning at the Wanderers, captain Root invited ex-players Darren Gough, Mark Butcher and Matt Prior – all working for TalkSPORT – into the dressing-room to join the celebrations.
It is a sign of how Root wants to embrace former stars rather than close the door and create a them and us environment.
And Butcher and Prior admitted they felt emotional and honoured to be sharing a beer with Roots victorious team.

Advertisement. Scroll to continue reading.
Advertisement
Advertisement

Latest

Premier League

Xabi Alonso Prefers to Stay at Bayer Leverkusen Liverpool is in search of a new manager following Jurgen Klopp's departure, but reports suggest that...

Premier League

Major Rule Change The Premier League has implemented a significant rule change regarding ball boys and girls after a recent incident involving Coventry manager...

Premier League

Green Light for Ambitious Project Birmingham City FC is on the verge of finalizing a £50 million deal to acquire an abandoned motor circuit...

Premier League

Dynamic Trio of Best Pals Erling Haaland is known for his pranks, and according to Sander Berge, the close friendship between Haaland, Martin Odegaard,...

Premier League

Nuno's Reaction Nuno Espirito Santo revealed his anger and frustration after being informed about Nottingham Forest's four-point deduction for breaking financial rules, which pushed...

Premier League

Arsenal Fans Rally Behind Jailed Journalist Evan Gershkovich, an Arsenal fan and journalist, remains confined in Moscow's Lefortovo Prison on spying charges laid by...

Advertisement
Advertisement

Facebook

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement