Ollie Pope has insisted he is "ready to step up" and bat at number three for England, despite never having done so in his first-class career.
With Joe Root set to move back down to number four when England take on New Zealand next month, Pope has been backed to slot in at three by England's new management. Despite an excellent first-class record for Surrey, Pope has so far failed to find the same consistency at Test level, where he averages 28.66 and has scored just one hundred.
Since being recalled last year after recovering from a shoulder injury, Pope has averaged just 20.36 in 20 innings batting at five and six and was dropped during the Ashes having managed a total of 67 runs at 11.16 during the series. Reflecting on his struggles against Australia, Pope told the Evening Standard : "I tried to change too much, rather than stick with what I'm good at.
"I wouldn't say I let the occasion get to me, but I tried to change things too quickly, rather than stick to what works for me and what I was doing. A massive part of me wishes I could go back and do it all again.
"Hopefully I look back at that experience come the end of the summer because I have a great chance to put things right now."
Pope also revealed that he actually had the idea of moving up to three for England and texted new Test captain Ben Stokes about a promotion after it was confirmed Root would be returning to four. After receiving positive feedback to the idea, Pope asked both Stokes and batting coach Marcus Trescothick if he should ask to bat at three for Surrey in order to push his case.
However, he was told to remain at four and continue scoring runs and promptly made a fluent 96 against Kent. And Pope believes he is ready for the challenge of batting at three for England, having received a major vote of confidence from South Africa legend and Surrey teammate Hashim Amla.
"Hash felt I was ready for the move, and so do I," he added. "A year or two ago, batting three I might have said 'ooph, that's high'. But with the work I've done, I feel ready for that opportunity now.
"I know I haven't done it [before], but the way I have been going about my innings this year my game is definitely suited to it. I feel I have the game to bat higher. I do think I'm ready for this challenge to get up the order and get my hands dirty, dictate the innings early, set up games.
"I would have liked the last few Tests to go better, but having had the experiences that I have under my belt at 24, some of the best Test players haven't even made their debuts by then. I have learnt lessons, some of them the hard way, and feel I am ready to step up."
