Curran’s super show is the spur for young Pope
Rookie batsman Ollie Pope is confident he can follow Surrey team-mate Sam Curran’s lead and make a smooth transition to the Test arena.
Pope looks certain to make his England debut in the second Test against India this week, replacing the dropped Dawid Malan.
His call-up to the squad came after only 15 first-class matches, but national selector Ed Smith has been persuaded by a glut of stylish runs this season.
That age and inexperience should not act as a barrier was demonstrated at Edgbaston last week when Curran, more than four months younger than his county colleague, announced himself with a man-of-the-man showing in the series-opening win.
“The way he played last week can give me confidence to know I can do it,” said Pope.
“I’ve played with him since we were 14, 15 – as soon as he came over from Zim (Zimbabwe)– and we’ve gone through the same path.
“I’ve had a good season so far. I have confidence in my own game to take the next step. You hear stories of some of the greats of the game, people like Alastair Cook. I think he was 20 when he made his debut, so it’s not like it hasn’t been done before. “Hopefullyitakemychance.” Barring an unexpected tactical switch, Pope will line up at No 4 at Lord’s, despite regularly batting two places lower for the Brown Caps.
He would take any such promotion in his stride, though. India have ruled out Jasprit Bumrah’s return from injury in the second Specsavers Test at Lord’s. Bumrah, pictured, who suffered a broken left thumb in a Twenty20 international against Ireland at the end of June, remained with the squad for the ongoing five-match series, with a view to being fit if needed in time to face England this week.
That, however, will not happen after bowling coach Bharat Arun explained the seamer is not quite ready yet. He’s bowling fit right now, but it’s too early to put him into a game-like situation,” he said. “He’s out of contention for the second Test.”
India, meanwhile, must decide whether to field a second spinner – on what is expected to be a dry pitch, belying its green appearance two days out – and Arun acknowledged the possibility, which would put wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav in the frame ahead of his fellow left-armer Ravi Jadeja to partner Ravi Ashwin.
Asked if he would take on the challenge, he said: “If required, yes. Especially against this India side, where they bowl a
lot of spin. It’s not massively different.
“When I bat at six sometimes I’ve been in the tenth over, other times I’m in for the second new ball.
“In the four to six region I don’t think there’s a massive difference in the way you play.”
Pope does not expect to be overawed by the occasion, with social media giving him time to get used to the idea of his maiden call-up and previous experience of playing at the home of cricket helping settle any nerves.
“I read a few articles I got tagged in on Twitter. I clicked on them out of curiosity and I took them in,” he said. “You don’t want to get your hopes too high but I had an idea.
“I’ve played quite a lot of cricket here (at Lord’s) and that’s quite nice.
“I was here for the first morning of the Pakistan Test; I was around the changing room and had a hit at lunch so I have an idea what it’s like to be here on the first morning of a Test.
“Obviously it’s a bit different when you’re playing. It will be pretty special walking out there if I get the nod.”