Ollie Pope Confident That The Absence Of Crowd Will Not Diminish Test Match Intensity

England batsman Ollie Pope has reckoned that the absence of crowd in the upcoming Test series against the West Indies will not dampen the spirit of him or his fellow teammates when they kick off their home summer in front of a deserted Ageas Bowl on June 08.

England’s 29-member squad completed their inter-squad practice match on Friday and one of the things that struck everyone was the eerie silence in the ground.

But Pope, who stroked a brilliant 55 on the last day of the warm-up game, said that the occasion will not be diminished.

“When we have big crowds in and the Barmy Army are here it is amazing but we’ll still be playing Test cricket and it’s still the pinnacle,” Ollie Pope told PA correspondents.

“Even if there’s not a single person in the crowd it’s still what we all dreamed of doing. There will still be the same nerves in the morning because so much rides on it. When that Test match starts up, crowd or no crowd, you are going to be really up for it,” he added.

“It has been quiet, especially at a ground like this where there is nothing going on outside the ground and no real noise out there, but that doesn’t change the quality of the cricket,” he added.

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‘We can find ways of creating our own atmosphere I’m sure’- Ollie Pope

There have been talks of playing music after every over to create some kind of an atmosphere but Pope is confident that the players will find ways of creating their own atmosphere.

“Whether we are going to play a big of music out of the speakers I’m not sure but we can find ways of creating our own atmosphere I’m sure. We’ve got to find a way to do that when we get on top or when we need a bit of energy.” Ollie Pope said.

Mark Wood took it upon himself to cheer the players up, at one time singing Jerusalem from the top of the pavilion as two teams walked on the ground.

Pope, in a charitable review, hoped that the fast bowler does it again.

“I hope he does it again, it was outstanding. He’s got the voice of angel,” Ollie Pope said.

Also Read: Shannon Gabriel Back In 15-Man Squad For The West Indies Ahead Of Test Series Against England

A rousing rendition of Jerusalem from @MAWood33! ?

Wait for the “Oh Jimmy, Jimmy” at the end ?

Live Stream: https://t.co/nqtr9tEgoL pic.twitter.com/bOlc3vFbfx

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) July 3, 2020