Show of faith or leap of faith? Ollie Pope heads into the unknown at No.3

«If England turned around tomorrow to us and said ‘we want him to bat at No. 3 in four-day cricket’ then we would obviously have the discussion and see what we could facilitate,» Batty told ESPNcricinfo. «We would be very wrong in our jobs if we wouldn’t consider that.»I’m not saying that we would definitely do it, but we would certainly consider it — absolutely. And everybody who is in contention to play for England — red-ball or white-ball — we would do our utmost to make sure they are getting the right, appropriate opportunities with Surrey. Certainly in Ollie’s instance, we’d do everything possible to facilitate him getting the best opportunities.»»What is he worried about?» Michael Vaughan asked rhetorically in his column. «It can’t be pace because that is not an issue in the county game. He is obviously worried about movement, which shows he has a couple of doubts about his technique.»The obvious difference between the roles is demonstrated by the fact that Pope has rarely faced the new ball this season, walking out inside 15 overs twice in his six innings to date. England’s opening partnership of Alex Lees and Zak Crawley remains unproven, meaning there is every chance Pope will be in early to face Trent Boult, Tim Southee and Kyle Jamieson next month.»Your mental make-up is different, going in at first drop,» Batty says. «You might have less information if you lose a wicket early. It is different, but let’s be honest: in international cricket, you’re going to have to find a way wherever you bat, facing high-quality bowlers against a moving ball at high speeds.»There are obvious differences but it would be wrong to think that there haven’t been huge learnings for him from coming in after [Hashim] Amla and seeing Amla go about his business. It has worked for him for a decent period of time. I truly think that given the time and opportunity at No. 3, he will find his feet there. I don’t see it as a huge drama.»I stick by my stance that, for me — and obviously I’m going to be biased on this — he’s the best young batsman in the country. That’s backed up with performances domestically and he’s shown wonderful glimpses in international cricket without having the consistency of an out-and-out senior player. It’s a different role but so far in his career, any challenge that’s been put in front of him, he’s found a solution and come through with flying colours.»Pope has started the season strongly for Surrey•Alex Davidson/Getty ImagesIt is not the first time that Pope has filled unfamiliar roles for England, after brief stints at No. 4 in his debut series in 2018 — before he had batted there for Surrey — and at No. 7 as a wicketkeeper in New Zealand. Key played down the importance of his shift to No. 3, using the example of Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott who batted No. 3 and No. 4 respectively for Warwickshire but switched in the England team. «I have no real issue with it,» he said.»I think he has a technique and temperament, but it’s down to us really to get the best out of him. That’s my view on all of that: [let’s] give him the backing to go and do it, so we can finally see the potential that we all think he has.»Quietly, the decision to promote Pope — and call-ups for Harry Brook and Matthew Potts after strong starts to the summer — represents an endorsement of the Championship by Key, even if Crawley’s retention is harder to explain along those lines.»Ollie Pope wasn’t in the side and he’s managed to get back in on the back of his county form as much as anything else,» Key said. «County cricket actually this year has informed quite a few of our decisions, to be honest. It’s been so pleasing to see what’s been going on.»While the quality of balls has been poor, cricket in the Championship has borne a closer resemblance to Test cricket this year than for a long time; England will hope the same is true of Pope’s run-scoring by the end of the summer.