Ollie Pope’s back in the nets and keen to prove his fitness for England tours
England batsman Ollie Pope has returned to the nets as he steps up his bid to return from injury in time for England’s tours of Sri Lanka and India.
Pope shoulder injury
The Surrey batsman had surgery after dislocating his shoulder in the third and final Test against Pakistan in August.
Pope – who suffered an identical injury while playing for Surrey in 2019, leading him to miss three months of the county season – shared a clip of him receiving throw downs from England coach Paul Collingwood.
Pope wrote on Twitter: “Nice to be back hitting this week! Few half volleys from @Colly622 to start things off.”
Nice to be back hitting this week! Few half volleys from @Colly622 to start things off 😂 pic.twitter.com/EyPdsa8xUD
— Ollie Pope (@OPope32) December 20, 2020
Keen to get back in the mix
The 22-year-old will be keen to retain his place after being an ever-present in the behind-closed-doors summer Test series wins against the West Indies and Pakistan.
He registered half-centuries against both sides, including 91 in the final Test against the Windies to help seal a 2-1 series victory. However, he averaged an underwhelming 26.87 across the six Tests this summer.
An England statement following his surgery read: “It is hoped that Pope will return in time for England’s winter tours of Sri Lanka and India starting in the early part of 2021.”
The first of two Tests against Sri Lanka, a tour which was cancelled earlier this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, begins in Galle on January 14 before England head to India in February.
Latest
-
NewsJoe Root shares victory call with fan who waited 10 months for team to arrive
England’s Test captain spoke with Rob Lewis, who has been in Sri Lanka since March, from a distance.
-
News5 of the best England wins on the sub-continent
Joe Root’s side were convincing winners in the first Test in Sri Lanka.
-
NewsSarah Taylor: Cricket had to fade away but I’m happy
Taylor has not played the game since retiring from England duty in September 2019.
-
NewsMickey Arthur takes hope from Sri Lanka fight after ‘unacceptable’ first innings
Sri Lanka posted 359 in the second innings to take the edge of defeat by England.
-
NewsJoe Root looks ahead after England seal Galle success
Jonny Bairstow and Dan Lawrence calmed the nerves to secure a seven-wicket win in Sri Lanka.
-
NewsEngland claims seven-wicket win in Sri Lanka
The fourth-wicket pair calmly collected the remaining runs.
-
NewsJack Leach weary but happy after long wait for England return in Sri Lanka
The left-arm spinner claimed five for 122 as the tourists closed in on victory in the first Test.
-
NewsSri Lanka v England Day 4: Frantic finale ahead as England chase down slim target
Jos Buttler’s stumping was a crucial moment.
-
NewsEngland wobble in pursuit of 74 to win first Test against Sri Lanka
Dom Sibley, Zak Crawley and Joe Root fell in quick succession early on.
-
NewsEngland chasing 74 to win first Test against Sri Lanka
Jack Leach’s five wickets ended the home side’s resistance.