Lloyd Pope
Australian cricketer (born 1999)
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Lloyd Aylmer James Pope (born 1 December 1999) is an Australian cricketer who currently represents South Australia and the Adelaide Strikers.[1] A right-arm leg spin bowler, he is known for his effective use of the wrong'un as a variation.[2][3] Pope was well renowned in his early career for his hair, becoming a cult hero of Australian cricket due to his “flowing red hair”.[4][5]
Adelaide, South Australia
| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Lloyd Aylmer James Pope | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 1 December 1999 Adelaide, South Australia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Batting | Right-handed | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Bowling | Right-arm leg break | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Role | Bowler | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Domestic team information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2017/18–present | South Australia (squad no. 24) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2018/19–2022/23 | Sydney Sixers (squad no. 7) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2023/24–present | Adelaide Strikers (squad no. 24) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2025 | Northamptonshire (squad no. 16) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Career statistics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: Cricinfo, 21 October 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Career
In August 2017, he was offered a rookie contract with South Australia.[6] In December 2017, he was named in Australia's squad for the 2018 Under-19 Cricket World Cup.[7] On 23 January 2018, in the Under-19 Cricket World Cup, Pope took figures of 8/35 in Australia's quarter-final match against England.[8][9] These were the best bowling figures in the history of the Under-19 Cricket World Cup.[10] He was the leading wicket-taker for Australia in the tournament, with eleven dismissals.[11]
He made his first-class debut for South Australia in the 2018–19 Sheffield Shield season on 16 October 2018.[12] Later the same month, in his second first-class match, he took seven wickets for 87 runs in the first innings against Queensland.[13] In doing so, he became the youngest bowler to take a seven-wicket haul in the Sheffield Shield.[14][15]
He made his Twenty20 debut for Sydney Sixers in the 2018–19 Big Bash League season on 22 December 2018.[16] He made his List A debut for South Australia, on 26 September 2019, in the 2019–20 Marsh One-Day Cup.[17]
Pope was part of the Sydney Sixers title-winning squad in the 2019-20 Big Bash League season, playing eight matches over the season and taking 10 wickets.[18] On 10 October 2020, in the 2020–21 Sheffield Shield, Pope became the first leg spinner in 50 years to take a five-wicket haul on the opening day of a Sheffield Shield season.[19]
During the 2023–24 Big Bash League season, Pope was named as a local replacement player for Travis Head, debuting for the Adelaide Strikers on 5 January 2024.[20] In July 2024, he was officially signed by the Strikers on a three-year deal.[21] Pope was named in the BBL team of the tournament both in 2024-2025, and 2025-2026.
On 4 November 2024, he achieved his third first-class five-wicket haul with fourth innings figures of 6/74 to prevent a draw against Victoria.[22] He was chosen as part of the Prime Minister's XI squad for a day-night match against an Indian XI as part of the 2024–25 Indian tour of Australia.[23]
In May 2025, Pope signed to play for Northamptonshire County Cricket Club in that year's T20 Blast.[24][25]
Despite sharing a surname and also having red hair, he is not related to fellow South Australian cricketer Katelyn Pope.[26]