Ollie Pope, the captain of England Test team, understands that he has not scored enough runs despite winning the series against Sri Lanka. The right-hand batsman believes that losing and regaining form is just part of playing but will try to block all negative thoughts in his mind.
In his local club, Surrey, the scores he has made since he took on captaincy are: 6; 6; 1; and 17. The 26-year-old average only 34 in 48 Tests and looks forward to come back into form during the third and final test with Sri Lanka.
After England won by 190 runs against Sri Lanka at Lord’s on September 1st, he fondly remembered how Ben Stokes remarked that there would be more attention on him as captain. He further explained: “In a way, I did have the same feelings.”
“That’s the way cricket is sometimes – form comes and goes. The best players are the ones who can draw a line under it. Hopefully, I can put a score together. “
“Chatting to Stokesy before this series, when you’re captain you attract a lot more. It’s important to block it out and stay close with the people around me. There are a lot of voices, a lot of guys who want to have their say, past cricketers as well. That’s completely fine. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.”
In the meantime during this Test Match at Lords against Sri Lanka former captain Michael Vaughan was very much against Pope’s appointment as captain. He preferred Harry Brook instead.
“We’ve played excellent cricket throughout the summer”- Ollie Pope
Pope aims to end the summer with a sixth Test victory, stating:
“It would be a pretty cool thing to look back on after a summer of six Tests and having won them all, if we can do it. We’ve played some really good cricket throughout this summer after a tough winter away in India. To get used to winning games back to back is really pleasing for us.”
The third and final Test against Sri Lanka starts on September 6 at The Oval.
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