Pope eager to kick on after big knock

HAVING firmed up his England place with a century against Zimbabwe, Ollie Pope is eager to prove he can succeed against the best attacks in the world.

- BY RORY DOLLARD, PA

Pope hit a commanding 171 as England thrashed their unfancied opponents in less than three days at Trent Bridge, going a long way to quashing speculation that the selectors were preparing to hand his number three shirt to Jacob Bethell.

Ben Stokes offered a firm vote of confidence in his vice-captain after the match, suggesting questions over Pope’s role were not being asked inside the dressing room, but the man himself admits there is one he still needs to answer. Can he do it against England’s two biggest rivals: India and Australia?

The 27-year-old averages 35.49 over his 56-Test career, but that drops to 24.60 against India and even more alarmingly to 15.70 in five Ashes appearances.