Ollie Pope has backed his former team mate Harry Brook to make a huge success of Test cricket ahead of his debut on Thursday.
Brook is set to replace fellow Yorkshireman Jonny Bairstow in the England side for the third and final Test against South Africa at the Oval. And having shared a dressing room in the England U19s together, Pope is under no doubt that Brook has got the talent and technique to thrive in South London.
“Harry is a seriously good player,” said Pope. “I've been on England U19s tours with Harry and he's obviously been in ridiculous form this season. I think he's averaged over 100 in the championship and he's 100 percent got the game to take that into Test cricket.
“He's got the mind-set as well. He just loves batting, so I'm excited for him if he does get that opportunity this week. He’s a top player and an exciting prospect and I’m sure he’ll go out and play to the best of his ability.
“He’s been around a while and he's not the type of guy that the occasion would faze. He impresses me with how chilled he is and how he just goes about his training and his cricket.”
Brook’s been the next batting cab off the rank all summer, and he gets his chance thanks to a freakish injury to England’s most impressive player in the new era.
Bairstow is believed to have fractured his left leg just above the ankle and is seeing a specialist this week to see whether he might require further surgery to the injury picked up playing golf.
“It’s obviously disappointing for us all and it is a freak incident that took place,” added Pope. “But he's had an amazing summer. He's been amazing to watch. He's been great to be around the lads and we're going to miss him.
“You’ve got to feel for him. I think golf is something that we play - all of us play - so much of and it's a great way to get away from the game as well and it's just a freak incident. There’s nothing you can really do about it. It's not going to stop people from playing golf. I’ve never been injured on the golf course and touch wood that continues.”
