Confident enough to perform well at highest level, claims Ollie Pope

The 20-year-old scored 684 runs in eight first-class games for Surrey County Cricket Club at a staggering average of 63.25. He earned his maiden national call-up because of his performances at the first-class level and after Malan failed to impress with the bat during the first Test. Pope seemed confident enough to perform well at the highest level and asserted that he was ready for the challenge against India. He said that he is eager to play and take forward his good domestic form at the international arena.

“I’ve had a great season so far and I am feeling confident enough to go out there and perform well. I am ready for the challenge and hopefully I take forward my performances in the first-class level at the highest order,” Pope said.

The 20-year-old showed no signs of nervousness when asked about replacing Malan in the team who bats at number four. He felt that the difference, in batting at No. 4 and No.6, was not too massive because Indians bowled a lot of spin during the innings.

“The Indian team relies heavily on spin. So there’s not much difference between batting at four and six. When batting at six sometimes I come in the 10th over and sometimes I face the second new ball,” he added.