England vice-captain Ollie Pope backed their brand of aggressive cricket, also known as ‘Bazball’, before the third Test against India due to start in Rajkot on Thursday, February 15. However, England lost the second Test in Visakhapatnam by a staggering 106 runs as India levelled the five-match series at 1-1 as well. Following the defeat, several former England cricketers were not happy how Ben Stokes and company approached their chase of 399.
However, speaking to the reporters on the eve of the third Test, Ollie Pope explained, “Everyone bats differently in this team. We’re not allowed to say Bazball, but the start that we’re making isn’t always about attacking. A lot of the time it’s about absorbing pressure when we need to absorb pressure.”
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However, Ollie Pope stepped up for England in the first Test in Hyderabad as his outstanding 196-run knock in the second innings helped England pull off a famous win against India. He would probably love batting in Rajkot as it is considered to have one of the best batting pitches in the country. Meanwhile, he hailed England skipper Ben Stokes for being on the cusp of a landmark 100th Test as well. Pope recalled Stokes’ incredible innings of 155 against Australia at Lord’s in Ashes 2023 which almost helped England pull off a massive chase.
“He has probably changed the game in a lot of respects, he has just got a way of bringing out the very best of him when the team needs it. Even in the Ashes at Lord’s (155 in the second innings) , which I remember thinking about ‘how does he obviously take it to a new level when all the pressure is on him,’” Pope again added.
Meanwhile, England pacer Ollie Robinson was in awe of the way star Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah bowled in the second Test between the two teams at Visakhapatnam as well. Robinson lauded the way Bumrah set up both Ollie Pope and Ben Foakes for their dismissals.
In his column for Wisden.com, Ollie Robinson wrote about Jasprit Bumrah: “The way he got Popey out, I was like, ‘Oh my, this guy’s a joke.’ And then he got Foakesy out with a slower ball and I’m like, ‘Oh my goodness, can this guy get any better?’ You watch him and you think, ‘Wow, he’s good.’ And then there’s something else where you think, ‘He’s amazing, can he do anything more?’”
Ollie Robinson concluded, “Me and Jimmy were speaking about it and after the last game – to watch him ply his trade in India is really special because we’re always striving to put on a performance like that in these conditions. He’s really special to watch. Credit to Jasprit – he’s extraordinary. He’s definitely given me food for thought in the way that he bowls over here.”
