Ollie Pope is only just shy of being 14 months older than Harry Brook but he is prepared to take on a mentoring role ahead of the latter’s likely England Test debut. Yorkshire batter Brook, 23, is all but certain to be tasked with replacing the injured Jonny Bairstow on Thursday, when England begin their deciding third Test against South Africa at the Oval. Pope has made 28 Test appearances since facing India in his 2018 debut, and admitted the pressures of international red-ball cricket can surprise even the most prepared player. Harry Brook, pictured, is expected to replace the injured Jonny Bairstow for the deciding Test (Steven Paston/PA)He said: “For someone like Brooky, I know the challenges international cricket can bring. “It’s just almost learning how to deal with the good and the bad of Test cricket.

Source: The Times September 06, 2022 17:31 UTC