Ollie Pope

The summer of 2018 became the breakthrough season for Ollie Pope as English selector Ed Smith fast-tracked him into the English national team, just after the experience of 15 First-Class games. An explosive wicket-keeper batsman transformed himself from being a T20 product to become a run-machine in the Championship county.

The Middlesex-born started his cricketing journey with Guildford and Cranleigh Cricket Clubs, before grabbing a two-year professional contract with Surrey in 2016. He made his List-A debut during the Royal London Cup that season, but didn’t don the gloves. 

The 2017-18 saw Pope blossom as a batter across all formats. He collects various applaudable remarks for his geniuses in the shorter format but his solid batting technique made him a star in the Championship with a better trigger movement against swinging balls. His success in the domestic circles was rewarded with a Test call-up in the home series against India in mid 2018. 

Pope got the England Test cap number 687 at the Lord’s Cricket Ground. Later toured with the national squad for the tours of Sri Lanka and New Zealand. Although, 2019 became a setback for the youngster who injured his shoulder while diving in a game but came back strongly as he scored an unbeaten 221 with an improved technique.

The Middlesex-born didn't disappoint in his nation’s side comeback where he replaced an injured Jos Buttler in the series against South Africa to score a fluent 75 and stitched a vital partnership with the captain Joe Root. Post the pandemic 2020-21, Pope played crucial knocks in the series against West Indies, Pakistan, and India. 

In 2021, the keeper-batsman was picked by Welsh Fire for the inaugural edition of the Hundred. Pope’s compact technique and stroke-making approach to the game makes him a brisk component for the 100-ball format. 

(As of April 2021)