by sussexpob » Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:46 am
Re: Pope,
18 years ago we heard similar overtones in South Africa, when at 2-2 the new lad Michael Vaughan strode out at 4 against one of the greatest new ball attacks in history, on a pitch doing everything. The 35 odd he scored might mean very little, but watching it with the ball doing everything, and his team mates folding like chocolate fireguards (the score went to 2-4 virtually straight after he got there), it was a sound effort. He ended up beating the England calendar year record for runs in his first full year as a test player. And would it not have been for those knee injuries that plagued him, he might have retired as one of our better historical players. If you have the technique, if you have the mental strength, you can bat anywhere. Against anyone, and in all conditions.
Hiding him down the order or protecting him will not make him a test class batsman if he is not. Yet like, Vaughan, if he strides in and gives a good account of himself in that tough top order engine room against fresher bowlers and a newer ball, then it will speak volumes about him. He's a 20 year old who has known very little, if any, failure in his career. He's bang on form, hes capable of batting good scorers.... is there anything better in these situations than saying "lad, you're our guy and there on merit. We back you fully, go out and do it"......
2010 French Open fantasy league guru 2010 Wimbledon fantasy league guru 2014 Masters golf fantasy guru 2015 Players Championship FL Guru 2016 Masters Golf Fantasy Guru
And a hat and bra to you too, my good sirs!