Ollie Pope Hopeful Of Playing The Opening Test Against India

England young batsman Ollie Pope is in the race to prove his fitness ahead of the first Test against India in Nottingham, starting Wednesday. Ollie Pope had already been doubtful for the opening game in the marquee five-Test series after a thigh injury sustained in the Vitality Blast. The youngster hopes it’s an injury that would not bother him during the series.

Ollie Pope had been part of the two-match Test series against New Zealand in June; however, he had done nothing notable. The right-handed batsman compiled scores of 22, 20*, 19, and 23 in four innings as England slumped to their first home Test series loss in seven years. But Pope remains one of their brightest young talents, scoring 882 runs in 19 Tests at 31.50, with one century and five fifties.

Ollie Pope remarked that the decision on his participation is yet to arrive as he has hit plenty of balls and performing the running. The 23-year old stated he feels the injuries; however, it seems nothing serious. Pope continued saying it is up to the physio and team management to supervise the risk as they try to get him through for the gruelling Test series.

“A decision is still to be made. I’ve been hitting a lot of balls and trying to do as much running as I can. I’m still feeling it a bit but nothing major. I’m hopeful but it will be up to the physio and management to manage the risk. It’s trying to make sure that if I do play in this one it won’t create issues for the next four Tests,” Pope stated as quoted by Daily Mail.co.uk.

We all support Ben Stokes one hundred per cent: Ollie Pope

Ollie Pope hailed all-rounder Ben Stokes, who withdrew from the India series to focus on mental health as a real fighter. However, he understands how the sport can take a toll on anyone at the highest level psychologically. The Surrey batsman threw his weight behind Stokes, supporting the decision and would be welcomed back whenever ready. Pope agrees that mental health holds more weight over the game.

“We look at Stokesey as a real macho fighter of a character. And he is. But this shows how mentally straining cricket and sport at the highest level can be. Being away from family in a bubble does make that tougher. We all support him one hundred per cent and would love to have him back as soon as we can, but I think mental health is much more important than a game,” he added.

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