Ollie Pope has denied the England team were ‘unruffled’ during the troubled Ashes series, but understands why the players were criticized.
Ben Stokes’ tourists lost 4-1 to Australia, whose tour plans, preparations, individual performances and behavior are all currently being scrutinized by the England and Wales Cricket Board.
In addition to being completely outclassed on the field, concerns arose about the culture of the squad during the break in Noosa, with reports of excessive drinking by members of the squad. It followed revelations about an altercation between a nightclub bouncer and vice-captain Harry Brook ahead of the Ashes’ visit to New Zealand.
However, Pope argues that England had intended to beat Australia and would have been more successful had they started the first Test in Perth competitively.
The Surrey batsman was speaking after the ECB overturned plans to stop Ashes players speaking to the media ahead of the new county season while it carried out a review.
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Ricky Ponting insists England’s coaching blueprint can make England Ashes contenders in 2027.
“Going into that series there was a lot of talk about preparation and there might be a misconception that as a team we weren’t as turbulent as we were,” the 28-year-old said at Surrey’s pre-season media day.
“What was difficult for everyone in the first game was the nature of the game. If we had won and performed a little better on the second day, the mindset would have been different.
Ollie Pope averaged 20.83 from six innings in England’s 4-1 Ashes series loss in the first three Tests of England.
“Of course we want to be everyone’s favorite team on and off the pitch, but unfortunately that hasn’t happened in Australia.
“I understand why people felt that way, but at the same time the perception that we weren’t making a fuss was probably tough, all we wanted to do was go and win the Ashes.
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Nasser Hussain doubles down on England’s decision-making and missed opportunity to beat Australia in Ashes series.
“As individuals, everyone is trying to deal with the pressure of an Ashes series and make the most of their performance and do what they can.
“All anyone wanted to do was win. Sometimes all we had to do was try to relieve the pressure of a real Test match in our minds.”
Among the criticisms against England was inadequate preparation for the Ashes, which consisted of only a three-day match against the England Lions at Lilac Hill in Perth before the first Test in the same city.
“As we have done in past years, we tried to treat this series like a regular series to do the best we could. Unfortunately, it didn’t go as planned,” Pope said.
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Brendan McCollum says he wants to stay on as coach as he reflects on England’s performance over the winter across Test and white-ball cricket.
“Batting at Lilac Hill wasn’t ideal because we go to Perth to play. It’s quite the opposite, but that’s the card you’re dealt.
“And we have had experience over the past few years in places like New Zealand, Pakistan and India that such arrangements have worked.
“I know what it takes to be as prepared as possible. From a personal standpoint, I felt as prepared as I could be for my first exam.”
Pope averaged just 20.83 in his first three matches and was dropped after the third Test in Adelaide, but will fight to regain his place in the England squad. “I still feel like my best batting years are yet to come,” he declared.
Surrey’s County Championship campaign begins against Warwickshire at Edgbaston from Friday 3 April.
