'It's been a bit of a whirlwind' – 20-year-old Ollie Pope discusses his England call-up

After breaking through into Surrey's first team last year and notching 684 runs in just eight matches this season, Pope will be hoping to translate his fantastic first-class record to the Test arena. At just 20 years old, Pope has already hit four centuries in the English four-day game at an average of 63.25, and despite his relative inexperience, he has an opportunity here to stamp down his place in the side with some runs against India.

Addressing the media after being selected, Pope spoke about receiving the call from England selector Ed Smith.

"I was on my way to play in a T20 for Surrey at Essex," he said. "I had a flat tyre so I had to get a lift from a mate but I was in the car on my own, saw Ed Smith's name pop up and I had an idea what it might be about.

"From that moment I hardly remember the conversation, all I remember is it was a good one. I called my parents and had a quick chat with them and they were buzzing."

Despite predominantly batting at No. 6 for his county, and having only batted as high as No.5 in one first-class game, Pope is expected to slot in as a straight swap for Malan at No.4. However the youngster was keen to quash any notion that he might not be suited for the role.

"Against this Indian side, where they bowl a lot of spin, there's not much difference between batting at four and six. When I bat at six sometimes I come in in the 10th over and sometimes I come in with the second new ball."

He credited a winter spent playing grade cricket for Campbelltown-Camden in Sydney for his development. "I had a really good winter, I was on my own two feet in terms of my cricket. I didn't have a coach, so I had to work things out by myself, whether that was technical or asking people to chuck balls at me.

"Playing week in, week out on Saturdays and Sundays, getting to know my game better, that is massive for a young lad to do when you're trying to find your way in the game.

"Getting to know your strengths and weakness, learning from your dismissals but also the games you play well in and score runs in - it helped kick off the season pretty quickly. I didn't feel like it was the first game of the year."

Pope's Surrey team-mate Sam Curran was instrumental in England's win in the Test against India at Edgbaston, earning the Player Of The Match award in just his second Test match. Pope hailed previous young headline-makers as prior examples of what is possible.

"I've had a good season so far and, from people I've spoken to, they've given me the confidence," Pope said. "Hopefully I take my chance and I have the confidence in my own game to take the next step.

"You hear the stories of some of the greats in the game and people like (Alastair) Cook, who was 20 (on debut). It's not like it hasn't been done before.

"I've played with him (Curran) since I was 14 and we have gone through the same path. The way he played last week has given me confidence that I can do it too and it's nice to do it with him."

Pope has now joined up with the squad before the second Test, but has been around the England team before, having been invited to spend a day with them in May for the first day of the Lord's Test against Pakistan.

"I met up with the England team last night (Monday 6 August) and we had dinner," he said. "It will be good to pick their brains, see what it was like for them when they were making their debuts and when they first got announced to the squad.

"It's been a bit of a whirlwind. I've played a lot of cricket (at Lord's) and I was here on the first morning of the Pakistan Test.

"I was around the changing room and had a hit at lunch so I had a bit of an idea what it was like to be here on the morning of a Test but it's a bit different when you're playing. It will be pretty special walking out, if I get the nod."

England host India in the second Test of the five-match series on Thursday 9 August at Lord's.