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Steven Charles Pope Border Cricket Club - South Africa. Right Hand Bat. Right Arm seam, Off Spin and Leg Spin. Started as wicketkeeper. Date of Birth: 15th November 1972. Place of Birth: East London, South Africa. Education: Dale College, King Williams Town. St Andrew's College, Grahamstown. University of Port Elizabeth.
This web site would not be complete without a page dedicated to our first and only professional, Steven Pope.
At the end of the 1998 season the Club lost some experienced players, but had a number of very talented young players. The Committee decided that the Club should employee the services of an overseas professional player to guide the youngsters and enable us to compete with the majority of the other clubs in the league who had employed professionals for many seasons. It subsequently came to the Club's attention that Steven Pope, who played for Border Cricket Club - South Africa, was available. He had played for Morcambe C.C. in the north of England for the previous three summers. We were delighted when Steven agreed to join us but, at that time, I doubt if anyone realised what a great player we had taken on. We were soon to find out!!
1999 SEASON
Steven proved to be an outstanding success in 1999. His league total of 1416 runs was just 18 runs short of Livingston Lawrence's record. Steven's average of 70.8 put him comfortably at the top of the County Division One batting averages and was a true reflection of the manner in which he dominated with the bat. He scored no less than six league centuries against Falmouth, St. Buryan, Hayle, Mullion, St. Austell and Penzance.
2000 SEASON
Steven was again in magnificent form, scoring a total of 1269 runs at an average of 90.64! His most dramatic innings was undoubtedly against champions St. Buryan in the Final of the Wickham Wines Cup. When chasing the modest total of 143 all out, Steven flayed the St. Buryan attack to all parts of Boscawen park to score 104 not out in only 38 balls and 45 minutes, finishing the chase in only 12 overs! Those who saw his 17 fours and 2 sixes will remember his attacking power for some considerable time.
2001 SEASON
2001 coincided with the formation of the ECB Cornwall Premier League. It was to be his farewell season as there was to be no overseas professionals in the new Premier League from 2002. The new league consisted of 10 teams rather than the 12 in the previous format, despite this Steven scored 1260 runs at an average of 90! Truro won the ECB Cornwall Premier League by a margin of 48 points.
The 2001 season also saw the birth of Steven and Suzanne's first child, daughter Abby.
The Club would like to thank Steven for all his efforts on our behalf. He is the consummate professional - reliable, a team player, positive and encouraging with younger and less experienced players as well as a very good coach and a true sportsman. He set a fine example for all the young players he came into contact with at Truro. We wish Steven, Suzanne and Abby all the best for the future. For the 2002 season Steven will be playing fo Cambridge and Godmanchester. Steven must like playing under a cornishman as his new skipper is David Roberts, the former Mullion, Troon and Northampton player. We are hoping to catch up with Steven on 29th May 2002 as, we understand, he will be playing for Cornwall in their Cheltenham and Gloucester tie against Worcestershire at St. Austell.
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