New Delhi– Ever wondered what fuels a cricketer through five grueling days of a Test match? England batter Ollie Pope has offered a rare behind-the-scenes look at the eating habits of international players — and it’s not quite the buffet one might expect.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Pope explained that while players are typically offered a wide range of options — from “chicken, fish, maybe some steak with pasta” — how much and what they eat largely depends on the match situation.
“Generally, you try to fuel up as much as you can,” said Pope. “But for me, if I’m batting, I don’t actually eat a lot at all. For some reason, your body just doesn’t want too much in.”
Instead of a heavy meal, Pope keeps it light and functional. “I have a protein shake and a banana. If I’m batting all day, I’ll often get to the end of it barely having eaten a thing. It’s hard to get food in, so I usually refuel properly at the end of the day.”
And what about the famed “tea break” — a hallmark of Test cricket tradition?
“Some do [have tea],” Pope admitted. “I normally have coffee. Sometimes, a cup of tea if there’s a rain delay or something.”
Pope’s insights come during England’s high-stakes five-Test series against India. After a commanding 106 at Headingley earlier in the tour, the England No. 3 has been relatively quiet, with a gritty 44 at Lord’s being his only other major contribution.
Still, England’s narrow 22-run win at Lord’s has handed them a 2-1 series lead heading into the fourth Test at Manchester — and with it, a wave of momentum. (Source: IANS)
