Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Pope must try to take it easier
BRENDON McCullum urged Ollie Pope to loosen up early on in his innings but pointed out England’s vice-captain is not alone in having a reputation as a nervy starter.
Pope, 26, has had mixed fortunes in India.
A career-defining 196 underpinned a famous win in Hyderabad but the number three batter has amassed 89 runs in his other seven knocks.
He has been accused of being on edge when first arriving at the crease and faced just three deliveries in Ranchi without scoring as India moved into an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match Test series.
His first-innings dismissal, charging down the wicket to Akash Deep and out lbw, was symptomatic of a batter with a cluttered mindset but McCullum argued some of the greats could be cagey at the outset.
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen was famously anxious to get off nought throughout his decorated career and would frequently set off for a risky single.
“It’s tough – he played three balls in the game,” McCullum said of Pope.
“Pietersen, (Ricky) Ponting, guys like that were all frenetic at the start – everyone’s susceptible when they first go out to bat.”
Despite two anonymous showings with the bat, Pope’s enthusiasm in India’s successful pursuit of 192 impressed McCullum, whose side will be looking for a consolation victory this week in Dharamsala.
“The way he was helping the skipper and diving around in the field, that’s the stuff you’re desperate for as a coach, to see people giving it their best regardless of their own performance,” McCullum said.
“It was great leadership qualities and shows where he’s at as a player, member of the team and as a person.”