‘Just put a helmet on’ – Pope’s scooter advice to England

After being found riding e-scooters without helmets in Brisbane, Ollie Pope has instructed his England team-mates to “put a helmet on.”

In addition to Ben Stokes, the fast bowlers, Jamie Smith, and Mark Wood, the captain, were spotted by local media preparing for the second Ashes Test against Australia, riding public scooters without protective headgear.

The Queensland government mandates that “you must wear an approved helmet when you ride a personal mobility device.” Failure to comply with this sentence may result in an A of $1 166 (£82).

Simply put, apply a helmet the next time. “Rules are rules,” remarked batter Pope.

The England team’s latest episode is the most recent in a line of local media coverage of their Australian tour.

Players were filmed at the airport in Perth, with special attention paid to Stokes and Joe Root, who were battered.

When playing golf, the visitors were filmed following them by drones, and some even pictured going to an aquarium in Perth.

Their performance and attitude were subject to intense scrutiny following a crushing defeat in the first Test. Mitchell Johnson, a former Australia pace bowler, described the England “arrogant.”

Regardless of the outcome, England are 1-0 in the series and are planning a trip to Noosa, north of Brisbane, on the Sunshine Coast, following the second Test.

Pope argued that England should be able to avoid playing cricket but that they are “very aware” of the media attention.

The Surrey batter said, “It’s important for us as cricketers and as people to try to switch off and be yourself.”

Pope, 27, made a point during his second Ashes tour by highlighting the difference from his previous outing to Australia four years ago, when strict Covid restrictions were placed on the England squad.

According to Pope, “Locking your doors and staying out of your room is the unhealthy thing to do,”

Whatever you do in your free time, whether it’s just taking your mind off of cricket for a day or two, is really important.

“So be it if they want to catch us doing that,” they say. On a long tour like this, maintaining that balance is crucial.

Pope and Australia’s fast bowler Scott Boland both felt the need for players to spend some quality time apart from the game.

Australia’s players benefit from playing in their homes between Tests because they are the series’ hosts.

You want to enjoy your downtime, Boland remarked. We can visit our families and other similar things when we return home.

I’m the same as you, and you do like your privacy. I tend to be quite private. I enjoy having a camera nearby whenever I can and being able to leave when I can.”

Will Jacks, an all-rounder, will take Wood’s place in the second Test, according to England’s confirmed squad.