On the third evening, when England came to bat with about 10 minutes to go for the close of play, Zack Crawley tried to run down the clock. Indian skipper Shubman Gill and the Indian players got agitated with the incident and had a heated exchange with Crawley. The sledging did not end there but continued through the Test match.
When Ollie Pope was asked about his role in sledging, he responded by saying: “Not really. I am not a massive sledger.” speaking on Sky Sports. Pope also acknowledged that with the rise in franchise cricket and international players sharing dressing rooms, there is “less and less of it in the game, I think at the minute with franchise cricket. You get to know the opposition well. It’s not as much as probably ten years ago.” Pope said.
Answering about the fine system for the dresses, Pope said, “We don’t really have a fine system. We’re pretty relaxed. We’re pretty chill. There are some guys who sort of ruck up in flip flops, other days you’re just in your polo looking a bit smart. But as long as the sponsors are on there, it keeps them happy, then there’s no real fines to be had.”
In the interview, Pope was also asked if taking a quick single was more satisfying or hitting a six, to which he would respond by saying, “Definitely smashing a six. I think the feeling when it comes off the middle of the bat and it goes with a good trajectory is by far the best feeling. But if you’re going to your 100, if you can steal a quick single and enjoy your celebrations, that’s pretty good as well.”
“Depends on where you get hit. The padding is pretty good. Generally, if its gloves, or pad, or helmet, or anywhere it’s not to bad, but if it’s the rib cage and private parts can be pretty sour. Mainly rib cage and arm is the worst places. Padding is pretty good otherwise,” Pope said on how it feels to get hit on the body.
