Ollie Pope senses a “real hunger” in England’s batting line-up this summer and believes the Test team could be capable of scoring 600 runs in a single day.
Confidence is high in the camp after two consecutive wins against the West Indies – an innings victory at Lord’s followed by a 241-run success at Trent Bridge.
Pope was one of three Nottingham centurions, followed by Joe Root and Harry Brook, as Ben Stokes’ side became the first England team in history to pass 400 in both innings of a Test match.
In December 2022, Pope was one of four players to reach three figures as England amassed 506-4 on the first day of a Test against Pakistan in Rawalpindi – just three shy of the world record by a team in a day, despite bowling only 75 overs.
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Highlights from day four of the second Test at Trent Bridge as Shoaib Bashir’s five-wicket haul shredded West Indies for 143 and secured England a series win
Friday July 26 10:00 a.m.
And the Test vice-captain believes the team has developed a new direction that could see them go even further into uncharted territory, if the conditions are right.
“I think when Baz (head coach Brendon McCullum) and Stokesy took over, we were a batting unit with, not a lack of experience, but a lack of confidence at the time,” he said.
“I feel like everyone has grown in their role and there is now a real desire.
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Pope reflects on England’s fine start to their second Test against the West Indies and dissects his superb performance that saw them reach a century
“There’s always a desire, but now there’s a little bit more in this batting lineup where we feel like we can continue to do even better things. Back then it was about building confidence, now it’s about hopefully becoming more and more ruthless.
“Sometimes we can score 280 to 300 points in a day, but that’s not a big deal and it’s probably because we read the situations.
“We saw it at Trent Bridge, when the lights were on and it started to move more, that was the time to manage the game a little bit and it’s something we want to keep improving more and more.
“But we might get 500 or 600 at some point in the future. That’s a nice thing to have.”
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Arsenal and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale watches during England’s second Test match against the West Indies and discusses Ben Stokes speaking to the England squad ahead of Euro 2024
England have not shied away from making big statements in the ‘Bazball’ era, although their momentum was halted when, after drawing series against New Zealand and Australia last year, they lost 4-1 in India in the winter, prompting a bold overhaul of the team.
Record wicket-taker James Anderson, after playing his farewell Test at Lord’s, 100-cap veteran Jonny Bairstow, wicketkeeper Ben Foakes and established No.1 spinner Jack Leach were axed.
The transition to a younger core has been positive so far, with Gus Atkinson taking 12 wickets at Lord’s, Shoaib Bashir sealing the series with a five-wicket haul in the second Test and Jamie Smith making a fine debut as wicketkeeper-batsman.
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Shoaib Bashir’s brilliant second innings at Trent Bridge sealed England’s win over West Indies
“I think there were some big decisions and tough decisions to make on guys, but I feel like right now we have a really well-balanced offense and hitting team,” Pope said.
“We want to give the guys confidence and build the team around them but at the same time in international cricket there will always be pressure for places.
“It has been shown over the last few weeks that the guys who have come in have done some great things and we can continue to build from there.
“I think winning can become a habit and the way we have approached these two games is top class and it shows in the results so far.”
England vs West Indies Test Series
Watch day one of the third Test between England and the West Indies from Edgbaston in Birmingham, live on Sky Sports Cricket from 10am on Friday (first ball thrown at 11am).
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