Ollie Pope says the England team has learned its lesson after a handful of players were photographed riding e-scooters without helmets during the Ashes tour.<\/p>\n
Captain Ben Stokes, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith and injured paceman Mark Wood were pictured riding scooters around Brisbane in the lead-up to the second Test match on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Queensland government rules do not require helmets for those using human-powered scooters, but they must be worn when riding the motorised variety.<\/p>\n
Section 256A(1) of Queensland’s road rules state that e-scooter riders can face a fine of $166 for failing to wear a helmet without an exemption.<\/p>\n
“The Queensland Police Service are aware of images being circulated of persons riding e-scooters without helmets within the Brisbane area,” a QPS spokesperson said in a statement.<\/p>\n
“Officers have since engaged with those persons to inform and educate them on compliance requirements associated with e-mobility devices in Queensland.”<\/p>\n
England’s frontline players had made a priority of banding together in Brisbane after their first-Test loss rather than splitting off for some to play the day-night tour match in Canberra.<\/p>\n
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English batter Pope said it was important for the team to have downtime outside together in the days before the second Test.<\/p>\n
“As cricketers and people it is important to try and switch off and be yourself,” he said.<\/p>\n
“For me, if we did lose a game the way we did, everyone is gutted. Locking your doors and not coming out of your rooms is the unhealthy thing to do, as we saw in COVID.<\/p>\n
“Whatever you are doing in your off time, whether it is taking your mind away from cricket for a day or two, I think that is really important.”<\/p>\n
But the players will be smarter about road safety next time.<\/p>\n