Pope prays for runs against India and Australia / Photo: Darren Staples - AFP
-
Park Jin-young Denies Cult Allegations Against Firstfruits Group
-
Writer Realizes She Is Lesbian After Child Comes Out as Transgender
-
MotorTrend's Top Electric Vehicle Picks for 2026
-
GTA 6 Advertising Strategy and Disc Version Controversy
-
St Francis School Leads €60,000 EU Project to Transform Early Childhood Education
-
IT’S TIME TO SHINE: ELEKTROS Thanks Its Shareholders and Looks Toward a Brighter Future in Critical Minerals and EV Technology
-
ELEKTROS Invites Shareholders to Shine Bright as the Holiday Season Nears, with Focus on Lithium, Critical Minerals and EV Innovation
-
As the Most Wonderful Time of the Year Approaches, ELEKTROS Celebrates Its Shareholders and Looks Ahead to a Bright Future
-
How to Find Joy in a Simpler, More Intentional Lifestyle
-
1986 Yugo GT with 121 Miles Listed for Sale on Bring a Trailer
Pope prays for runs against India and Australia
England vice-captain Ollie Pope may have done his short-term prospects no harm with a Test century against Zimbabwe but the Surrey batsman now wants to show he can score runs against the very best bowlers in world cricket.
Pope's dominant 171 was the highest of three individual centuries in an England total of 565-6 declared that paved the way for an innings win over an outgunned Zimbabwe inside three days at Trent Bridge.
England skipper Ben Stokes gave a wholehearted endorsement of his deputy, insisting questions were not being asked about Pope's place in the team amid speculation his position at number three was under threat from Jacob Bethell.
But sterner tests await Pope and England, with two of their toughest series on the horizon -- an upcoming five-match Test campaign at home to India followed by an Ashes tour of Australia.
The 27-year-old Pope averages a modest 35.49 over his 56-Test career, but that drops to 24.60 against India and an even more concerning 15.70 in five Ashes appearances.
"I completely own that my numbers aren't good enough against those guys (India and Australia) and I accept that," said Pope following his run-spree in Nottingham.
"But I think I am a better player to deal with the competition ahead this summer. Hopefully over the next year I can prove that. I did that a little bit in India last year (with a match-winning 196 in Hyderabad) and look forward to doing it this summer and winter.
"I've been trying to work on my all-round game and everything that will make me successful in Test cricket. It's about putting my best foot forward and play a big innings, whether we are playing Zimbabwe, India or Australia. That's always the plan."
Pope is renowned as a good team man, stepping up to lead England when Stokes was injured last year before deputising as stand-in wicketkeeper in New Zealand.
By keeping, he allowed Bethell to impress in Pope's usual number three slot.
But Pope does not mind the competition.
"It'll be good to have him back in the squad and the selectors can make their decision," said Pope.
"I try not to read what's in the media and focus on scoring my runs. It's all noise to us, we have a tight-knit unit and we will keep chatting amongst ourselves.
"I just try to ignore it. Every time I go into a series I'm trying to make sure I'm a better player than I was before and hopefully cash in when it counts."
R.Chavez--AT
