After Ben Stokes was forced to miss the Sri Lanka Test series because of a hamstring injury he sustained during The Hundred 2024, there were many conjectures about how the English team would manage without their normal captain. Despite England’s convincing victory in the opening Test of the three, Ollie Pope’s batting performance is still a cause for concern.
Michael Vaughan, a former England captain, looked into Pope’s decline. In addition, he went into detail on who, in the current configuration, he believed would make a better captain.
He’s not my favourite captain. I wouldn’t want a guy like him to be the captain of England. Although he is a terrific team player and individual, putting the captaincy on him has increased his level of insecurity. At three, he was getting along just fine. I think Harry Brook has the makings of an England captain. Ollie Pope isn’t that person in my opinion,” Vaughan said on the BBC’s Test Match Special.
Michael Vaughan likens Root’s diligence to that of
Vaughan also acknowledged his confusion with Pope’s inability to control himself, even with the assistance of skilled psychologists and backroom personnel. He also likened Pope’s work ethic to that of Joe Root, one of England’s best red-ball players in a long time.
“I find it incredible that despite England having an abundance of psychologists and backroom personnel, they are unable to simply de-escalate his situation and provide him with further opportunities. Joe Root has the most incredible mindset, just look at him. He has an incredible routine when he first steps up to bat: he stretches, touches his toes, gets his legs moving, and then sprints. “I’m not sure if I see a pattern or a procedure when I look at Ollie Pope,” Vaughan continued.
Also Read: Joe Root dedicates his 33rd Test century to Graham Thorpe, saying, “I owe him a lot.”
Pope’s poor performance continued into the second Test, as he was removed after facing just one run off of ten deliveries. He would be well-positioned to make a significant impact in the second innings for England and beyond with the willow.
India
