What Do Cricketers Eat During Lunch and Tea Breaks? Cricketer Gives Insight into a Day in Test Cricket
What Do Cricketers Eat During Lunch and Tea Breaks? Cricketer Gives Insight into a Day in Test Cricket
England’s Ollie Pope reveals what goes on behind the scenes during match intervals
Cricket enthusiasts have long wondered what goes on during lunch and tea breaks in a Test match. Now, England’s top-order batter Ollie Pope has shed light on what players actually eat during these breaks and it’s not always the traditional fare fans might expect.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Pope explained that players’ eating habits depend on whether they are currently batting or not. When off the field, the meals are hearty and fuel-focused. “Generally like chicken, fish, maybe some steak with pasta — trying to fuel up as much as you can,” Pope said, describing a standard lunch menu available to players.
However, for those batting, the scenario changes entirely. Pope shared that when he is actively involved in an innings, his appetite significantly reduces. “If I am batting though, I don’t actually eat a lot at all. For some reason, your body just doesn’t want to get too much in,” he said. During such situations, he opts for something light and sustaining, typically a protein shake and a banana. “If I am batting all day, then I will get to the end of the day barely having eaten a thing. It’s quite hard to get it in, so you fuel up at the end of the day,” he added.
The much-romanticised tea break, often associated with cups of hot English tea, also doesn’t follow a strict script. “Some do [prefer tea],” Pope shared. “I normally have coffee. Sometimes, a cup of tea when it’s a rain delay or something.”
Pope has had an eventful role in the ongoing five-Test series against India. He played a match-winning knock of 106 off 137 balls at Headingley, giving England an early 1-0 lead in the series. Since then, his form has tapered slightly, with a steady 44 off 104 balls at Lord’s being the only significant contribution. Nonetheless, England managed to clinch a narrow 22-run win in that match, moving ahead 2-1 in the series and taking the psychological edge going into the next Test.
From protein-packed lunches to quick shakes between overs, Pope’s revelations offer a rare peek into the routines and nutritional strategies of modern cricketers. For fans, it’s a reminder that performance on the pitch is deeply connected to preparation off it.
