England’s new No 6 averaged 88.66 in
South Africa but says he has learned from Joe Root and Ben Stokes that ‘you never stand still’ at Test levelOf the many reasons for positivity following England’s dominant series victory in South Africa, the performances of Ollie Pope with the bat were perhaps the most significant when looking ahead to the future of the Test team.
Mark Wood, whose nine‑wicket haul in the final Test in Johannesburg offered hope of a bright second chapter in the fast bowler’s Test career, and Ben Stokes, man of the series as he followed up his stellar home summer with more all-round heroics, are established figures on the international scene.