Former England captain Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton discussed Ollie Pope’s recent appointment as England’s test captain for the upcoming Sri Lanka tests starting on August 21.
After Ben Stokes was ruled out for the Sri Lanka Tests after sustaining a hamstring injury while playing for Northern Superchargers in The Hundred 2024, England has named Ollie Pope to lead the squad in Red-ball cricket.
On this occasion, Hussain discussed with Michael and showed his belief that it would be beneficial for Pope to lead the side for a few games of next year’s Ashes series in Australia. “I think it’s good for Pope to be captain for three Tests, just in case, Ben Stokes does get injured in the future,” said Hussain.
“They need other options. Just like when they go to Australia, and they don’t want a bowling attack that’s inexperienced,” he said. “You don’t want to get there with someone [leading] who hasn’t done it before,” he added.
Ollie Pope, England’s Test captain for their #WTC25 series against Sri Lanka, has the backing of two cricket legends.#ENGvSLhttps://t.co/U6v8Z1ToNh
— ICC (@ICC) August 17, 2024
However, both former captains acknowledge that Pope will face his share of challenges. “Essentially, you’re in a caretaker position. And Ben Stokes has left such a permanent mark on the side, Ollie Pope wouldn’t want to change that,” he said.
“While you are captain and you make decisions, it’s someone else’s team. It’s a slightly awkward position for him,” he added.
Hussain also pointed out that the Pope has to assess himself as the captain of the team. “The feeling with Pope is that it doesn’t come naturally, [whereas] the feeling with Stokes is that cricketing intelligence comes very naturally to him. It feels like he [Pope] was given the vice-captaincy to get him out of that shell, the no. 3 position as well, we believe in you, which I think was the right thing to do,” Hussain noted.
“But the other side of that, when you’re captain. You’ve to sell that belief. Sell yourself to the team, your plans,” he added. Both former captains wish him for best wishes for his new role. England will be playing their first test against Sri Lanka on August 21 at Old Trafford Cricket Ground.
