![\"What](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/test-jpg.webp\")
Photo: AFP<\/p>\nSports Desk<\/p>\n
19 July 2025, 05:46 PM IST<\/p>\n
England\u2019s Ollie Pope shares what he eats during Test match lunch breaks, including his preference for protein shakes and bananas while batting<\/p>\n
Photo: AFP<\/p>\n
E<\/strong>ver wondered what fuels\u00a0top cricketers during those long and intense days of a Test match? England batter Ollie Pope has given fans an insight into his eating habits during matches and yes, he\u2019s also cleared up the long-standing curiosity about whether players actually drink tea during the \u2018Tea Break\u2019.<\/p>\n What\u2019s on the menu at lunch?<\/strong><\/p>\n In a video shared by Sky Sports, Pope revealed that the lunch menu for England players typically features high-protein and carb-rich meals aimed at fuelling performance.<\/p>\n \u201cGenerally like chicken, fish, maybe some steak out with pasta, trying to fuel up as much as you can,\u201d Pope said.<\/p>\n However, it\u2019s a different story if he\u2019s batting. \u201cFor me, if I am batting though, I don’t actually eat a lot at all, just because of some reason your body just doesn’t want to get too much in,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n In such situations, Pope opts for a lighter intake,\u00a0\u201cSo I have a protein shake and a banana. If I am batting all day, then I will get to the end of the day barely have eaten a thing, just because it’s quite hard to get it in, so you fuel up at the end of the day.\u201d<\/p>\n Do cricketers drink tea during the tea break?<\/strong><\/p>\n Given the name of the break, fans often assume players relax with a hot cuppa. But Pope cleared the air on that too.<\/p>\n \u201cSome do (prefer taking tea). I normally have coffee. Sometimes, a cup of tea when it’s a rain delay or something,\u201d he revealed.<\/p>\n Pope\u2019s form in the series<\/strong><\/p>\n Pope has been a consistent presence in England\u2019s line-up during their ongoing five-match home Test series against India. He made headlines with a brilliant 106 off 137 balls at Headingley, playing a crucial role in England’s five-wicket win in the series opener.<\/p>\n Since that innings, he has struggled to put up big scores, with a composed 44 off 104 at Lord\u2019s standing out as his best effort.<\/p>\n England now leads the series 2-1 after a hard-fought 22-run victory at Lord\u2019s \u2013 the iconic \u2018Home of Cricket\u2019.<\/p>\n England squad for the fourth test<\/strong><\/p>\n Ben Stokes (capt), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Liam Dawson, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.<\/p>\n (with agency inputs)<\/p>\n