Lloyd Pope is an 18-year-old who’s been involuntarily thrust into the spotlight to bear a dangerous amount of pressure in his formative years. Nevertheless, I reckon he will ultimately save this country from everything.
For those unaware, the young leg-spinner took eight wickets in a stunning spell on Tuesday that catapulted Australia to the semi-final of the under-19 World Cup, and now the nation is whole again.
In lay terms, with England in touching distance of a breezy victory, Pope is now the Governor General after rescuing us from the unspeakable humiliation of failure in a youth tournament.
And if I know young Lloyd – which I definitely do, after seeing 9.4 overs compacted in to a 45-second story on the nightly news – he’ll do the same again in the semi-final, and forever.
Because he’s the next Shane Warne, because we’re desperate for another Shane Warne.
Because of course we are (AP Photo/Rui Vieira)
The local stock exchange peaked at record highs yesterday, while the CSIRO scrambled to clone the spinner’s DNA to ensure four prongs of Pope for the Ashes in 2019 – a series England incidentally forfeited upon hearing the news. All after one afternoon of googlies.
The eight-wicket haul gripped the nation in a familiar sensation – the one of grossly over-budgeting on untested leg-breaks. By nightfall, we’d been thrust into a deep state of unsubstantiated euphoria and optimism.
Like most things, it’s all Warne’s fault.
That’s because anything related to leggies, beating England and deep thrusting has been forever associated with the champion social-media enthusiast, and rightfully held up to irrational comparison.
But why stop at a parallel? We’re desperate nowadays.
That’s why I’m forecasting Pope to exceed Warne’s delectable catalogue of blonde-topped delights.
The teenager’s demolition job was not some titillating beach shoot, this was nation-saving leg-spin like nothing we’ve seen since our last exorbitant over-reaction to an Australian leg-spinner. Simply anointing him ‘The Next Shane Warne’ is completely insufficient.
Pope possesses better wrong-uns, hair and pun potential than Warne, and already seven more Balls of the Century.
(Photo by Kai Schwoerer-IDI/IDI via Getty Images)
At the risk of low-balling, there was enough in that one spell to suggest he will definitely take 5000 Test wickets, consigning the Victorian legend to someone we will vaguely recall as a cheese addict with a paltry 700.
All we have to do now is drum our fingers on the desk as we wait for Pope to knock over Jacques Kallis with a spitter from the rough.
So enough of your comparisons to Warne, because the youngster will be much better than that. After all, he performed good things on the telly one non-descript Tuesday afternoon.
Some may claim it’s unfair to place pressure on the kid, but it never hurt Beau Casson, Cameron White, Jason Krezja, Bryce McGain or Nathan Hauritz, did it?
Salvatore Borraccino
Roar Rookie
WOW.Completely forgot that Beau Casson rolled his left arm Chinaman in 1 test vs WI.Now speaking of Hope,would it be inconceivable to pick him for upcoming SA tour?
Brian
Guest
you must be f***ing dreaming
Paul
Guest
Dane, if I've told you once I've told you a thousand times - don't exaggerate
Clear Release
Guest
well done sir you won the internet today imho
Brissie Boy
Guest
Francis, Zampa and even (I believe) the GOAT himself should all be made to step aside to allow for the ascension of Pope Lloyd into their respective roles as Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Jesus Christ, Successor of the Prince of the Apostles, Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church, Primate of Italy, Archbishop and Metropolitan of the Roman Province, Sovereign of the Vatican City State, Servant of the servants of God, ODI, Test, and most importantly South Australian Shield spinner. Annuntio vobis gaudium magnum: HABEMUS PAPAM! Eminentissimum ac reverendissimum Dominum, Dominum Lloyd Sanctæ Romanæ Ecclesiæ Cardinalem Pope, Qui sibi nomen imposuit Floyd von Wrongone.
magic
Guest
sk warne was a magician no one can even come close to him remember his magic at the big stage so, i mean no one, so let it go and bring a good spin bowler who can take some wicket
Clelo
Guest
Nice comeback you oxygen thief. Seriously, wouldn't it be great to see young Pope in the team now. Shane went for about 140 in his first test innings so he can't be that bad. As someone said he can turn it either way, has multiple wrong uns and consistently bowls balls of the century. Personally I love watching a leg spinner in action. He seems to have so much time and unchecked variation. I will never forget the look on Mike Gatting's face, he just couldn't believe that amount of turn was possible. To his credit he still talks up Warney to this day. I do believe now is the time to get Pope into the top side and let him make mistakes because he will learn from it and just get better.
Dane Eldridge
Expert
DingoGray, I’m stumped by your cryptic statement. But I’ll ask this: why would anyone want to be anything but Australian with these big dirty turners on the horizon?
Dane Eldridge
Expert
Tommo, you’re being rational
Dane Eldridge
Expert
A big filth Rothmans after this exhilarating spell, Clelo
Mike Dugg
Guest
Okeefe will finish his test career with around 30 wickets at under 30 in nine tests. Pretty respectable. Lyon has never and probably won't ever average under 30
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Dane does "Francis" have dual citizenship?
Tommo
Guest
Remember the quote "Don't go early" In other words he might be a one match wonder. Steve O'keefe. Who?
Dane Eldridge
Expert
...who is better than Voges
dave
Guest
Definitely will be better than Warne and if he works a bit on his batting will be better than Smith who is better than Bradman.
Clelo
Guest
Joking aside, he has the technique, flight and variation plus outstanding figures to go a long way. 5000 test wickets though? What have you been smoking Dane? (Snigger).
Dane Eldridge
Expert
Oh yeah, now those were the aesthetic glory days!
KingCowboy
Guest
Ha ha, yer it got me to when I saw the headline. Haven't seen a looker like him since Andrew "Ronald" McDonald played a couple of tests for us!
Dane Eldridge
Expert
Thanks JamesH. Definitely agree on the cult factor, Max Markson will be all over him any moment
JamesH
Roar Guru
I enjoyed this. My first reaction on seeing the Roar's 'new Warne' headline was 'here we go again...' This kid has cult figure written all over him though. The name, the hair, the bowling style... if he's terrible with the bat and in the field it will just be a bonus!