Absence of fans won't affect intensity during test series against Windies, says Ollie Pope
XtraTime Web Desk: England middle-order batsman Ollie Pope says the absence of spectators will not affect the intensity during the upcoming test series against West Indies starting from July 8 at Ageas Bowl.
"When we have big crowds in and the Barmy Army are here it is amazing but we'll still be playing Test cricket and it's still the pinnacle," Pope said in a virtual press conference after England's intra-squad warm-up game.
"Even if there's not a single person in the crowd it's still what we all dreamed of doing. There will still be the same nerves in the morning because of so much rides on it. When that Test match starts up, crowd or no crowd, you are going to be really up for it."
The 22-year-old right-handed batsman said playing without spectators doesn't affect the quality of cricket.
"Whether we are going to play a bit of music out of the speakers I'm not sure but we can find ways of creating our own atmosphere I'm sure. We've got to find a way to do that when we get on top or when we need a bit of energy."
The practice game between Team Stokes and Team Buttler ended in a draw on the final day on Friday.
Pope made 55 not out in Team Buttler's second innings to go with his 25 in the first.
England will name a larger than normal 22-man squad on Saturday morning for the opening Test.
