Perception of England is hard to take – Pope

Batter Ollie Pope said any perception England “weren’t fussed” about winning the Ashes is hard to take.

England were blighted by problems on and off the field during the 4-1 defeat in Australia.

They were criticised for their preparation after playing only one warm-up match before the first Test.

The tourists’ drinking also came under scrutiny, particularly a mid-series holiday in Noosa, and the later revelation that Harry Brook was punched by a nightclub bouncer on the white-ball tour of New Zealand that preceded the Ashes.

“We want to be a well-liked team on and off the pitch and unfortunately our performance didn’t allow that to happen in Australia,” said Pope, who was dropped for the final two Ashes Tests.

“I can understand why people felt that way. The perception that we weren’t fussed was probably the hard thing. Every individual is trying to manage the pressures of an Ashes series and get the best out of their performance.

“All everyone wanted to do was win. I guess maybe at times in our minds it was taking the pressure off the actual Test match, as we have done in previous tours, to treat it like a normal series to get the best out of ourselves. Unfortunately, it didn’t quite go to plan.”

England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) chief executive Richard Gould has been leading a “thorough review” of England’s Ashes tour and is due to speak to the media in the coming days.

It is understood head coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key retain the support of the ECB, and Key is likely to speak alongside Gould.

New Zealander McCullum has repeatedly reiterated his desire to remain in charge, fulfilling a contract that runs until the autumn of next year.

Speaking earlier this month, after England lost in the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup, McCullum said he made “no apologies” for running an “informal” environment.

But the perception of the England environment was hit by further negativity by criticism from Liam Livingstone. Speaking to ESPNCricinfo, the discarded all-rounder said: “If you’re in, you’re in, and if you’re not in, no-one cares about you.

Some changes to the England set-up have already been implemented, including the use of a specialist fielding coach, a midnight curfew imposed on players and the ongoing recruitment of a new member of the board to bolster cricketing expertise.

Still, there is little doubt England have plenty to do to repair their reputation in the eyes of supporters, starting in the summer with Test series against New Zealand and Pakistan, and a high-profile white-ball visit of India.

And Pope, the Test vice-captain until he was replaced by Brook for the Ashes, said he can “understand” the strength of feeling towards England for their performances in Australia.

“All we wanted to do was go out and win the Ashes,” said the 28-year-old. “It’s not nice what has been expressed, but at the same time I can understand how it’s happened.”

Pope made 46 in the first innings of the first Ashes Test in Perth, but his output dwindled from then on. His highest score in his next five innings was 33, and he was left out in favour of Jacob Bethell for the final two Tests.

Bethell, 22, made his maiden first-class hundred in the final Test and is now England’s incumbent number three.

Pope said he has spoken to McCullum and Key about his route back into the England team, but admitted he is unsure where he will bat for Surrey.

Speaking ahead of the new County Championship season, Pope said: “It’s a great time for me – we’ve got a block of seven games for Surrey in the Championship. I want to make sure my game keeps improving, keeps developing.

“I knew where I stood. Getting dropped was tough, but it was the right decision at the time.