‘Basic ideology against spin’ – Ollie Pope falls for one after ‘jittery’ innings | IND v ENG
A struggling Ollie Pope fell made a solitary run during his 11-ball uncomfortable stay at the crease in the Hyderabad Test match.
England got off to a rapid start after Ben Stokes won the toss and opted to bat in the first Test of the five-match series, in Hyderabad. Zak Crawley (20 in 40 balls) and Ben Duckett (35 in 39) put on 55 in 71 balls – England’s second-quickest opening stand in India.
Ollie Pope arrived when R Ashwin trapped Duckett leg-before. He played out the last ball of Ashwin’s over as well as the next ball he faced, from Ravindra Jadeja. Then he tried to play Jadeja against the turn, but the leading edge fell safely.
In Ashwin’s next over, Pope tried to sweep. It was almost certainly a predetermined shot, and the bat made no contact with the ball. He drove the next ball for his only run.
In Jadeja’s next over, Pope attempted the reverse sweep, to a ball too quick, too flat, and too short for the shot, and missed the line. Jadeja flighted the next ball, and Pope defended.
Jadeja’s next ball, from round the wicket, landed on a good length and straightened. Though Pope read the line, he certainly did not read the length, for he ended up playing forward to a ball that was too short for it.
Ollie Pope, full stretch front foot, but still unable to get to the pitch of the ball. These are the balls that you play off the back foot on turning pictures against spinners. Basic ideology when playing spin. #INDvENG
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) January 25, 2024
The ball took the edge and went to first slip, where Rohit Sharma held a sharp, low catch. Pope was given out after a brief consultation with the television umpire.
Later on air, Kevin Pietersen called Pope’s uncomfortable stay at the crease “jittery”. “He jabbed at the ball, he didn’t play it with soft hands,” added Sunil Gavaskar.
On his previous tour of India, Pope had made 153 runs at 19.13, and had fallen to spin in seven out of eight times. The numbers have now changed to 154, 17.11, and eight out of nine.
Even at home, he averages 21 against India. Combine them with his numbers against Australia – 22.50 at home, 11.17 away, 15.70 overall – and it makes sorry reading.
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