New England Test captain Ollie Pope has committed to upholding the Bazball philosophy as England faces Sri Lanka, even in the absence of Ben Stokes.
With Stokes sidelined for the entire three-match series due to a torn hamstring, Pope emphasised that the team’s approach wouldn’t change. Stokes will still be present in the dressing room throughout the series in Manchester, continuing his rehabilitation and offering guidance to Pope.
Pope acknowledged that, despite stepping into the captaincy role, this is still very much "Stokesy’s team." He stated that Stokes would continue to lead from the background, ensuring that the team’s aggressive approach remains unchanged. Pope added that while he would deliver similar messages as Stokes, he would do so in his own style.
Pope also mentioned that Stokes’ presence in the dressing room is invaluable, as it allows him to seek advice when needed. Stokes is eager to recover quickly, which Pope sees as a positive influence on the entire squad. While Stokes is content to let Pope lead, he’s also available to offer tactical advice or suggest changes in approach, along with head coach Brendon McCullum.
Since Stokes took over as captain in May 2022, England has experienced a remarkable turnaround, winning 17 out of 26 Test matches after a dismal stretch of just one win in 17. Pope made it clear that he intends to channel Stokes’ aggressive style of leadership during this series.
Pope, who has only captained in one first-class match for Surrey in 2021, was appointed England’s Test vice-captain in May 2023. England has actively developed Pope’s leadership skills, giving him opportunities to captain in warm-up matches and involving him in decision-making. His recent experience leading Surrey in eight Twenty20 Blast games has provided him with a "crash course" in captaincy.
Pope revealed that he had mentally prepared himself for the possibility of stepping into the captaincy role if Stokes were ever unavailable. He noted that many England captains haven’t had extensive county cricket captaincy experience, but he feels fortunate that the team is already well-coordinated. According to Pope, the key is to maintain a relaxed and positive environment that allows players to perform freely and confidently, especially those early in their careers.
As the series approaches, Pope is focused on leading the team with the same aggressive intent that Stokes has instilled, while also ensuring that players continue to enjoy and express themselves on the field.