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"Tonight was reckless": Adam Gilchrist slams Ollie Pope for soft dismissal in Ashes Test

Akshita Patel

Ollie Pope faces criticism [Source: @rs_3702/X.com]Ollie Pope faces criticism [Source: @rs_3702/X.com]

England batter Ollie Pope faced heavy criticism after a disappointing dismissal on Day 3 of the second Ashes Test against Australia at The Gabba. Adam Gilchrist labelled Pope’s approach as “reckless,” questioning his aggressive style.

Pope, who came in at number three for England, looked in good touch at first. He scored 26 runs from 31 balls and seemed settled against the Australian attack. 

Aussie great calls out Ollie Pope’s approach 

However, his innings came to a sudden and frustrating end when he played an ill-timed shot to a fuller delivery from Michael Neser. 

Starting the shot too early, Ollie Pope failed to control the bat, and the ball struck the inside edge before flying straight back into the bowler’s hands.

Meanwhile, former Australian wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist, speaking to Fox Cricket, made his feelings clear. He said Pope’s constant desire to attack is actually hurting his game instead of helping it. 

"(Pope's) desire to keep attacking and keep imposing himself on the bowling unit is what's bringing him down. Tonight was reckless. It just looked like reckless cricket," Gilchrist said.

According to him, Pope’s approach has become predictable over the four innings played so far in the series. Gilchrist also suggested that the young batter should spend time rethinking his strategy before the next Test in Adelaide.

"It's all a little bit too predictable from what we've seen in four innings so far (this series). There's a bit for him to think about before he goes to Adelaide," he added.

Interestingly, Pope’s struggles against Australia continue to grow. He is now averaging just 18.71 in 14 Test innings against them and is yet to score a single fifty. 

His highest score remains 46, which he made in the first innings of the opening Ashes Test in Perth earlier this month. In the current match, Ollie Pope had already been dismissed for a three-ball duck in the first innings.

Australia in control after an eventful Day 3

That being said, Australia have already taken control of the match by stretching their first-innings lead to 177 runs. When their bowlers came on under the lights in the twilight hour on Day 3, England’s batting lineup collapsed once again. 

The visitors found themselves struggling at 134/6 in their second innings, still trailing by 43 runs. Not a single England batter managed to reach the fifty-run mark, despite several getting decent starts.