Pope told to keep calm and settle in

BRENDON McCullum has urged Ollie Pope to loosen up early on in his innings but pointed out England's vicecaptain is not alone in having a reputation as a nervy starter.

- DAVID CHARLESWORTH

Pope has had mixed fortunes during the current Test series in India. A career-defining 196 underpinned a famous England triumph in Hyderabad but the No.3 has amassed a combined 89 runs in his other seven knocks.

He has been accused of being on edge when first arriving at the crease and faced just three deliveries in the fourth Test in Ranchi without scoring as India moved into an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series.