Ollie Pope has declared Arsenal goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale his “lucky charm” after scoring 121 on the first day of the second Test against West Indies. Ramsdale, part of the England squad that reached the Euro 2024 final, attended the match at Trent Bridge as a guest of Pope.
The Connection Between Ramsdale and Pope
Ramsdale’s presence seems to bring out the best in Pope. Last year, he witnessed Pope score a double century against Ireland at Lord’s. “He messaged me last night, and I managed to sort him a couple of tickets,” Pope said. “He can come more often.”
Pope’s Impressive Record
Pope’s sixth Test century, against different teams, helped England achieve 416 all out on an action-packed opening day in Nottingham. Ramsdale, 26, who played junior cricket before focusing on football, supports Pope regularly. “I’m a big Arsenal fan, so I support him a fair bit,” Pope added. “He’s my lucky charm on the cricket pitch as well.”
A Season of Highs and Lows
Pope played one of the all-time great innings by an England batter, scoring 196 against India in Hyderabad. However, he only passed 30 once in the remaining four Tests of that tour. His highest score for Surrey in the County Championship this season is 63, but he began his England summer with 57 in the win over the Windies at Lord’s last week.
Training and Determination Pay Off
After his century in the second Test, Pope credited England batting coach Marcus Trescothick for his success. “I wouldn’t say I had doubts, but I was thinking, ‘Why is everyone else in the country scoring runs in county cricket, but England’s number three isn’t going out and averaging 50?’” Pope said. “Trescothick came to London, and we did some really good work, which has put me in good stead for the Test summer.”
Pope’s Journey to Vice-Captaincy
Pope debuted in Test cricket against India at age 20 in 2018. Six years on, he is the England vice-captain and, with 45 caps, one of the most senior players in the team. Since being promoted to number three in 2022, he has made five centuries, more than any other England batter in that position since Jonathan Trott. Despite his successes, his Test batting average stands at 35.52.
Future Challenges and Goals
Former England captain Michael Vaughan discussed Pope’s aspirations on the Test Match Special podcast. “His big goal is to perform well against high-quality teams like India and Australia,” Vaughan said. “Against sides like West Indies, he will rack up the runs. His mental challenge is proving himself against the top teams.”
Pope’s Path to Becoming World-Class
For Pope, achieving consistency against top-tier teams is crucial. “That will take him to the next level, the level where we all start to see him as a world-class performer,” Vaughan added. Pope’s journey is ongoing, with the cricketing world watching his progress closely.
In Summary, Aaron Ramsdale’s support appears to be a significant factor in Ollie Pope’s cricketing achievements. With dedication, training, and a bit of luck from his “lucky charm,” Pope continues to strive for excellence on the international stage.
