Ollie Pope faces long lay-off after being told he needs operation

The Surrey batsman requires surgery to help fix the problem, sustained during the Royal London One-Day Cup clash with Essex on Tuesday, and will undergo surgery next week

Ollie Pope will miss most of the 2019 English summer after dislocating his left shoulder.

The Surrey batsman requires surgery to help fix the problem, sustained during the Royal London One-Day Cup clash with Essex on Tuesday, and will undergo an operation next week.

A Surrey statement read: "It is hoped he will return to first-team cricket towards the back end of the current 2019 domestic season".

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Pope's absence will be a major blow to the county, who are likely to be without several of their players for long periods of the season due to their England commitments.

The 21-year-old averages 53.08 in first-class cricket from his first 27 matches, having hit six centuries and five further fifties.

He was picked for two Tests by England last year.

The player tweeted on Friday: "Gutted that the 2019 season has started like this. Time to get the surgery done and be back stronger. Wishing the lads all the best".