South Australian leg-spinner Lloyd Pope marks Sheffield Shield debut with wonderful delivery to claim Steve O’Keefe LBW

WHAT a way to start your first class cricket career! South Australia’s Lloyd Pope, already dubbed the next Shane Warne, has delivered an absolute corker to take his first Shield wicket.

Lloyd Pope of the Redbacks (centre) celebrates with teammates Harry Nielsen (left) and Jake Lehmann after his dismissal of Steve O'Keefe on Wednesday.

• Pope ready to unleash bag of tricks
• Labuschagne recreates Taylor classic catch

WHAT a way to start your first class cricket career!

South Australia’s Lloyd Pope, already dubbed the next Shane Warne, has delivered an absolute corker to take his first Sheffield Shield wicket.

The 18-year-old leg spinner, making his Shield debut against NSW at Adelaide Oval, absolutely bamboozled tailender Steve O’Keefe to trap him LBW on 14 with a beautifully disguised wrong’un.

Lloyd Pope has picked up his maiden first class wicket - with a beauty. Picture: Getty

He added a second, when he had tailender Sean Abbott out to a diving catch at mid-off to Jake Weatherald to finish with figures of 2-55 in his first showing in first class cricket.

WATCH POPE’S DELIVERY IN THE VIDEO PLAYER ABOVE

Pope captured the cricketing world’s attention with a mindboggling performance at the Under-19 Cricket World Cup where he shredded England’s lineup in their quarter-final with a masterful display - taking 8-35 as Australia successfully defended their meagre total of 127 to reach the semi-finals.

That one match saw Pope’s name travel around the world, and intensified the Warne comparisons - a millstone officials within Cricket Australia would rather the 18-year-old was not burdened with.

Eight of the best! Pope demolished England with an eight-wicket haul. Picture: Getty

But he took the next step in his blossoming career this week, earning a his maiden first class cap - and then capturing headlines with a stunning wicket.

Armed with a killer googly, hopes are high that Pope can continue his steady rise in the dark art of leg-spin bowling.

Meanwhile, former Test paceman Joe Mennie did the bulk of the damage for the Redbacks with 5-39 - including three wickets in nine balls - as part of a staggering Blues collapse as the hosts lost 6-23.

It’s cricket like never before. Every Australia home Test, ODI, T20I Match LIVE and ad-break free. SIGN UP TODAY!

Originally published as South Australian leg-spinner Lloyd Pope marks Sheffield Shield debut with wonderful delivery to claim Steve O’Keefe LBW