Katelyn Pope isn’t SA leg-spin prodigy Lloyd Pope’s sister but the redheaded bowler is making her own mark with Kensington

A red-headed bowler with the surname Pope is starring for Kensington, in this week’s edition of Over the Pickets.

Kensington bowler Katelyn Pope, centre, is not related to Redbacks leg-spin prodigy Lloyd Pope. Katelyn is making her own mark in the women’s competition.
Picture: Supplied

• Redbacks spinner Lloyd Pope takes wicket on debut
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• Adelaide Strikers ready for 2018/19 Big Bash season

A red-headed bowler with the surname Pope is starring for Kensington.

But it is not Redbacks leg-spin prodigy Lloyd Pope, nor is it any relation of his.

Katelyn Pope is making her own name with the Browns and SA Scorpions, leading the Twenty20 competition with six wickets at five from two matches, including five scalps against West Torrens this month.

The left-arm medium-pacer says lots of people think she is Lloyd’s sister but she takes it in her stride.

Kensington's Katelyn Pope is often asked if she is Redbacks leg-spin prodigy Lloyd Pope’s sister. Picture: Supplied

“I always get umpires coming up to me saying ‘I umpired your brother yesterday’ and I just say ‘no you didn’t’,” Pope, 22, says.

“People within cricket are always amazed we are not related. It’s the red hair that tips it off and we both play for Kensington.

“I’m used to it, sometime I kind of want to say ‘yes’ and go through with the joke.

“Lloyd and I have chatted, mainly at state stuff and he gets people thinking I’m his sister all the time.”

Pope has played for Kensington for the past six years and with the Scorpions since 2014/15. Last season she claimed 14 scalps at 14.07 for the Browns in the one-day competition and nine at 18.78 in Twenty20s .

She hopes her maiden five-wicket haul will help cement her spot in the Scorpions and Adelaide Strikers’ teams.

Lloyd Pope, in action for the Redbacks, isn’t related to Kensington bowler Katelyn Pope, despite often being mistaken for brother and sister. Picture: AAP/David Mariuz

“It felt very special to take my first five for and it’s good to see all my hard work is paying off,” she says. “It was just a good day and everything went to plan.

“I’ve been really striving for consistency to get my confidence up. When you play in a team like Kensington, it makes the milestone very special.”

Pope, who is gearing up for her third women’s Big Bash League season, says earning a spot in the Australian team is her long-term goal.

For now, she is focusing on her state duties and trying to help Kensington win one-day and Twenty20 titles this summer.

PLAYER OF THE WEEK

CAM VALENTE (Adelaide)

The Redbacks all-rounder had another fantastic week, unbeaten on 125 and taking 4/29.

CHAMPION PLAYER OF THE SEASON

Sam Kerber (Uni) 736

Jake Brown (Ken) 714

Kelvin Smith (WT) 639

Jake Winter (Glen) 589

Ben Pengelley (Ade) 564

Tim Rouse (ND) 538

Ben Wakim (Uni) 502

Ben Turley (Pros) 484