Record-breaking SA leggie takes the humble approach
Humble South Australian legspinner Lloyd Pope puts some of it down to luck.
Lloyd Pope walks off Adelaide Oval after his seven-wicket haul. Photo: AAP/David Mariuz
Pope claimed a record 7-87 against Queensland on day one of the Sheffield Shield match in Adelaide yesterday, helping to bowl the Bulls out for 231.
The 18-year-old Pope is the youngest cricketer to take seven wickets in a Shield innings.
And three of his seven victims came with sharp-spinning wrong’uns.
“Some of them were a bit lucky off the wicket. Some were turning and some weren’t – favourable conditions,” he said.
The teen tweaker turned to his wrong’un when he noticed Bulls batsmen trying to play the cut shot.
“Try and turn the ball back in to stop that (cut) shot,” he said of his tactics.
“And I guess that worked a little bit for me.”
The self-effacing Pope was unaware of his record until told after play.
“I was not aware of that … it’s pretty good, I guess.
“(I’m) on top of the world really. It’s awesome to take some wickets for my state.
“I love just walking onto the oval and playing cricket with a bunch of good blokes.”
– AAP
