Manchester [UK]: Following his side’s five wicket win over Sri Lanka, England captain Ollie Pope lauded batters Joe Root and Jamie Smith for their match-winning performances, going on to call the former a “greedy Yorkshire man” for his hunger for runs.
Root starred with a calm half-century during a tense run-chase while Smith smashed his maiden Test ton in the first innings to hand England a massive lead of 122 runs in the first innings, which proved to be instrumental in team’s win.
Speaking in the post-match presentation, Pope said that the pitch suited new ball bowlers and lauded pacers Chris Woakes and Gus Atkinson for their performances.
“I think it was the kind of pitch that suited new ball and we knew once we got past the 15-20 overs, we could really cash in. Credit to the bowlers for the way they led from the front, Woakes and Gus (Atkinson) managed to get them three down early on. I think that was very crucial,” said Pope.
On Root and Smith, Pope said that the veteran batter brought calm to the dressing room while a young wicketkeeper-batter showed immense calmness so early in his Test career.
“Everyone likes him (Root) when he is walking on the field, he is a greedy Yorshire man, there was a sense of calmness when he was out there, everyone had full confidence in him. There are always a few nerves early on in your Test career, but I knew he (Smith) had the calmness to deal with it. He has transformed his form in the Test arena, could not be any more happier for him,” said the skipper.
On his captaincy experience for England in absence of Ben Stokes, Pope said that he enjoyed it and was able to read the game well enough to help his team get all 20 wickets.
“It was tough to bowl on that pitch after 15-20 overs, it was taxing, but that is always going to be the case,” he concluded.