For Ollie Pope, much of his career has been defined by folding under pressure. When he was surprisingly handed his Test debut at the age of 20 against India at Lord’s, it was way soon, especially as he was asked to bat at No 4 in the order. He lasted just two Tests before being dropped.
This is the series Stuart Broad famously said should be counted as “void” because of the onerous pandemic restrictions the tourists were under, including twice-daily Covid tests at one point.
Pope still has questions to answer however he performs against India (Photo: Reuters)
Even if he has a stellar summer against India, will he really be able to have success against the same Australian attack that stalked him so ruthlessly four years ago?
He somehow has to be in the team by the time the Ashes start at Perth on 21 November. But at the moment, he will have to bide his time. Bethell will be playing for Warwickshire in the County Championship at Edgbaston from Sunday after being overlooked for Pope for this series opener against India in Leeds.
The 27-year-old had earlier taken a brilliant catch at cover to dismiss Karun Nair during a startling collapse from India that saw the tourists lose their final seven wickets for 41 runs to post a first-innings total of 471 that looked par at best.
Yet the temperament Pope showed to score 171 against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge last month while all the speculation over his place was whirling around came to the fore again here.
square CRICKET Sport AnalysisBen Stokes’s secret fitness regime to be firing for the Ashes
Read More
But largely, though, he exuded calm, which is a promising sign for a player who has become known for being as a twitchy starter as you will see at this level.
Since then he is averaging above 40, making a nonsense of the chat that he should be dropped. It is understood that although he is currently being backed, support is far from unanimous.
People change, people grow, people get better. Pope, showing a steeliness not previously seen, has certainly done that over the past few months. His work on this second day of the series in Leeds proved that.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( England’s Pope vs Bethell debate just got more muddled than ever )
Also on site :