Ollie Pope is back fighting in the nets after surgery on an abstract shoulder that suffered during the last test in England last summer against Pakistan; the 22-year-old is not in the squad against Sri Lanka but hopes to take part in the series against India in February
The PA Media
Last updated: 20/12/20 11:18 am
England bat Ollie Pope has returned to the nets as he continues to recover from a broken shoulder
England bat Ollie Pope has returned to the nets as he steps up his bid to return from injury in time for England’s tours of Sri Lanka and India.
Surrey’s bat underwent surgery after shifting his shoulder in the third and final test against Pakistan in August.
Pope – who suffered a similar injury while playing for Surrey in 2019, which led to missing three months of the county season – shared a clip of him receiving a throwback from the England coach Paul Collingwood.
Pope wrote on Twitter: “Good to be back hitting this week! Very few half volleys from @ Colly622 to get things started.”
The 22-year-old will be willing to hold his place after always being present in the summer Test series behind closed doors wins against the West Indies and Pakistan.
He recorded half-centuries against both sides, including 91 in the final Test against the Windies to help seal a 2-1 series victory. However, he averaged 26.87 under the six Tests in the summer.
An English statement after his surgery read: “It is hoped that the Pope will return in time for England’s winter tours of Sri Lanka and India beginning in early 2021.”
The first of two trials against Sri Lanka, a trip that was postponed earlier this year due to a pandemic outbreak, will begin in Galle on January 14 before England travels to India in February.