Flame-haired legspinner Lloyd Pope has the tricks and temperament to live up to the hype of being Australian cricket’s next great spinner, according to Jake Lehmann.
Pope is expected to make his Sheffield Shield debut for South Australia in their home fixture against NSW starting on Tuesday.
And acting Redbacks captain Lehmann says the 18-year-old Pope has the skills to make an instant impact in first-class cricket.
“He has got the ability to spin the ball both ways, which is huge in this day and age,” Lehmann told reporters on Monday.
Pope, who shot to prominence when taking an eight-wicket haul for Australia in January’s under-19 cricket World Cup, also had the mindset to succeed.
“I think that is the great aspect of Lloyd, his competitiveness,” Lehmann said.
“He’s not shy to take on the likes of Fergie (Callum Ferguson) and Travis (Head) or myself in the nets.
“He he still tosses the ball up and tries to spin it both ways, it doesn’t really matter who he is bowling to.
“He’s pretty jovial. He’s probably a little kid in a lot of ways but he’s very mature with his bowling.”
In the absence of regular SA skipper Head, who is overseas with the Australian Test team, Lehmann will follow in his father Darren’s footsteps when he leads the Redbacks in a Shield game for the first time.
“He (Darren Lehmann) sent me a message saying that he was a proud dad but it’s not something that I have really thought about,” Lehmann said.
“I’m absolutely honoured to be asked to do it and I guess that is where it ends.
“I’m just privileged and excited and happy to be able to fill that role.”
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