England’s premier batsman in the top order, Ollie Pope, fresh off a sensational double century, has pledged to burst the bubble of former Australian captain Steve Smith in the upcoming Ashes. The Australian batsman is currently in tremendous form, scoring his 31st Test century in the ongoing World Test Championship Final against India.
During Pat Cummins‘ Australia’s WTC Final match against India at the Oval, archrivals England are keeping a careful eye on the Australians and formulating strategies for their upcoming opponents. Ollie Pope lauded the unconventional batting style of Australian batsman Steve Smith when speaking of him.
However, Ollie Pope also issued a stern warning to the Australian batter, disclosing that England will not hesitate to use ‘quirkier ways’ to dismiss the star batter. England will make life difficult for Smith at the crease, attempting to break through his stubbornness and shatter his bubble in red-ball cricket, he stated.
He has been an exceptional performer for a very long time and has had a great deal of success in a variety of conditions. His obstinacy is what has made him successful. Regardless of whether he scores runs in the first two or three games of this five-game series, he will continue to operate and score runs in the same manner.
That is precisely the entrapment we must work to free him from. Pope told the English media on Thursday, June 8, that “we may be looking at even more eccentric ways to challenge him, test him, and make him as uncomfortable as possible in order to get his wicket.”
England, who were humiliated 4-0 in the previous Ashes series, are operating at a completely different level since Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes took over as captains. After trouncing a hapless Ireland in a one-off match at Lord’s earlier this month, the hosts will be greeting their adversary.
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