Cult hero Pope looks reddy for big league
THE Sydney Sixers could be about to bet on red.
Flame-haired leg-spin sensation Lloyd Pope is in the running to make his Big Bash League debut in tonight’s season-opening clash with the Perth Scorchers.
The 19-year-old is in contention to line up at the SCG after being named in the Sixers’ 13-man squad.
Pope and fellow leggie Daniel Fallins are fighting it out for a spot in the XI with the final decision to be made at the toss.
After just four first-class games, Pope has already earned a cult following after running through England with 8-35 at the Under-19 World Cup earlier in the year.
Former Test spinner and Sixers teammate Steve O’Keefe was coy on whether Pope would get a run.
“He’s going to be the kind of guy who comes in and has a cult following straight away with those beautiful red locks of his and bowling leg spin,” O’Keefe said.
“And he’s super talented - a bloke who can take seven-for in a Shield game.
“I genuinely believe he’s ready. He’s got a superb wrong-un which we’ve seen, he spins his leg-spinner, which is what everyone talks about. He’s an attacking sort of bowler and what I like about him is he’s willing to learn and listen.
“I don’t want to put too much pressure on the kid. At 19 I was still playing second grade and here he is playing frontline men’s cricket.”
The Sixers are intent on compounding the pain on arch rivals the Scorchers following the Perth franchise’s first-up loss to the Melbourne Renegades on Thursday night.