Ollie Pope is revelling in the freedom that has come with Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum’s England reign and admits he loves playing without the fear of failure.
The Surrey batter has been one of many to prosper during the red-ball revolution which has transformed England’s fortunes.
Stokes and McCullum made Pope their surprise pick at No.3 and he is thriving in a camp in which the man-management skills of Stokes have inspired loyalty and devotion, while the captain has also instilled a sense of belief.
As well as shining up the order – he averages 42.60 there compared with an overall Test mark of 32.31, while two of his three Test tons have come at first drop – Pope retained the gloves over a fit Ben Foakes for the series-clinching victory against Pakistan in Multan, having initially stepped in when his county team-mate was ill.
James Anderson, around the national team for almost two decades, said in the summer he was ‘the happiest he’s ever felt’ in an England side. And that sentiment is trickling down to the squad’s younger members. ‘I feel a new player at the minute, personally, to what I felt in the past playing for England,’ said 24-year-old Pope.
‘I feel I’ve been a bit more consistent, I’ve stopped fearing getting out.
‘The two guys at the top have helped me grow, not confidence but the freedom to express myself and how I want to play. It’s been great for me, hopefully I keep that consistency.’
Pope has cut a composed figure with the gloves, with ten catches and one stumping in the first two Tests in Pakistan. However, consistently scoring runs remains his main focus.
‘I would love to tie down No.3, make that my own,’ Pope said. ‘My main priority is to keep churning out runs at No.3.’
Harry Brook has immediately taken to Test cricket and, after three matches, boasts an average of 73.80, scored at almost a run a ball.
The Yorkshireman’s form has earned high praise from Stokes, who compared the 23-year-old to Virat Kohli after the Multan win.
Brook believes England’s style of play has helped his seamless transition into Test cricket and said: ‘The lads just say go out there and do what you’re doing for your county side and I think I have done.
‘I’ve gone out there and I think I slot into this team fairly well with the way I’ve played. I’m generally quite an aggressive player who always looks to score and put the bowler under pressure, so it suits my natural game, and it’s been quite easy to slot in.’
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