England star Pope opens up about 'Bazball' challenges and shares Root chat

12 March 2023 , 11:51

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Ollie Pope has opened up about the challenges of adapting to 'Bazball' (Image: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

Ollie Pope has admits he is "constantly learning" as he tries to adapt to England's new 'Bazball' approach - and has discussed those challenges with Joe Root.

Pope has been promoted to number three by the new captain and coach combination of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum, despite never having batted there in first-class cricket before.

However, he has enjoyed some success, scoring two hundreds and five half-centuries at an average of almost 40 in 12 Tests. And the 24-year-old has opened up about trying to embrace the new positive and aggressive 'Bazball' style of play Stokes and McCullum have championed, admitting he has found it difficult at times.

Pope is a more traditional, classical Test match batter who plays in a similar vein to Root, who admitted before his century in the second Test against New Zealand that he had got "a bit caught up" in 'Bazball' and was struggling to find a role in the England team.

And when asked how he tries to balance his natural style with the more expansive 'Bazball' approach, Pope revealed it was something he had discussed at length with Root. "I think that's probably the biggest challenge," he told Sky Sports.

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"You think you've cracked it one day and then something creeps in. I was chatting to Rooty and with that reverse lap shot he got out in the first Test [against New Zealand] on 14 on a good pitch he was pretty annoyed with himself.

Pope revealed he and Joe Root had discussed the challenges of balancing their natural, classical style with the more expansive 'Bazball' approach (MARTY MELVILLE/AFP via Getty Images)

"Although he doesn't mind getting out like that and that's the way he plays, that next Test we didn't see it until he was on 80 or 90 and I think that sums it up pretty well. We want to chill out when we need to absorb a bit of pressure and then when you're in a position where you can really drive that game forward, that's the time to bring those shots out.

"I found that was probably my biggest challenge in New Zealand. In that second Test I was running down the wicket and I ended up running down more than I actually wanted to, that for me is [meant as] a surprise to get the bowler off their line and it just ruined my rhythm.

"[It] was frustrating looking back on it, but that's a good lesson to learn before the summer. We're constantly learning, even Joe Root as probably England's greatest ever batter feels like he's only just cracked it now after having a bit of time where he felt like he was trying to force something that he doesn't necessarily need to do."

Matthew Cooper