Ahead of the IND vs. ENG Dharamshala Test, Brendon McCullum asserts Ollie Pope knows what he needs to do
The IND vs. ENG Test series might have been done and dusted, but England aim to find a consolation win. Questions have also been raised about the vice captain of the England cricket team, Ollie Pope, and his poor form. However, head coach Brendon McCullum has defended Pope, claiming the batter knows what is expected of him.
Ollie Pope hammered a sensational 196 in the first Test in Hyderabad, the only Test that England won in the series. Following which his form has dwindled down. Adding salt to the injury were his twin ducks in the Ranchi Test.
Brendon McCullum told the media, “He’s aware of what he needs to do. He obviously bagged them in the last test, and he’s gutted about that, but look at the way he was then helping the skipper on the last day and diving around in the field.”
McCullum said, “That’s the stuff you’re desperate for as a coach—to see people giving it their best regardless of their own performance. He displayed great leadership qualities, and that showed where he’s at as a player, a member of this team, and as a person.”
McCullum concluded, “But Popey is trying to be as calm as he can be when he goes out there, and there’s a period when he needs to grab information from the wicket and get the rhythm of how the game is going.”