Ollie Pope is set to make history as the 82nd man to captain England's Test cricket team when they face Sri Lanka on Wednesday, stepping in for the injured Ben Stokes. Although Stokes will remain with the squad in Manchester throughout the series, Pope acknowledged that "it's still Stokesy's team," as he vowed to echo the same guidance but from his own perspective.
Despite his limited captaincy experience in first-class cricket—having led Surrey in only one drawn match—Pope has captained Surrey in eight T20 Blast games this season. Since last summer, he has held the official title of England’s vice-captain. With Stokes sidelined after suffering a hamstring injury during the Hundred, Pope now has three Tests to grow into his new role.
Reflecting on his unexpected elevation, Pope noted that being named vice-captain came with the possibility of such an opportunity. While he hadn’t dreamt of this scenario, he described it as one of the greatest honours in English cricket, expressing excitement about the chance to help the team progress.
Stokes has been present at England's training sessions at Emirates Old Trafford, which Pope has found reassuring. He reiterated that the team’s approach remains unchanged, even with him at the helm. While Stokes is allowing Pope to take charge, the vice-captain knows he can seek advice whenever needed, especially on managing the bowlers—something Stokes has excelled at. Pope emphasised that it’s about delivering the same messages, albeit in his own style.
As Stokes focuses on his rehabilitation, aiming to return for England’s tour of Pakistan in October, he will remain a key voice in the dressing room. Pope is prepared to consult with Stokes and other senior figures like Brendon McCullum and James Anderson during the series if any tactical adjustments are needed, viewing Stokes’ presence as a positive influence.
Pope, who had a strong series against the West Indies in July, understands the need to separate his captaincy responsibilities from his batting. Despite limited match practice since then, he remains focused on scoring big runs as England’s No. 3. He believes that balancing his roles will benefit his batting, as he will switch his focus to captaincy only when he is not at the crease. With support from vice-captain Harry Brook and experienced players like Joe Root, Pope is confident in his leadership.
Having missed England’s last Test in Manchester due to injury, Pope is determined to secure a win, despite a gloomy weather forecast. He stated that the team’s goal is to win the match, regardless of how long it takes.
While Sri Lanka arrives in England after defeating India 2-0 in an ODI series, they were beaten in their warm-up match by an inexperienced England Lions side. Although Pope has never played against Sri Lanka before, he is aiming for a 3-0 series victory, stressing the importance of respecting their opponents while focusing on England’s own performance.