Nasser Hussain feels that it is good for Ollie Pope to captain the England side before the Ashes next year in Australia. Pope is set to lead England for the 3-match Test series against Sri Lanka in the absence of Ben Stokes.
Stokes was injured during the Hundred and has been ruled out of action for the rest of the summer. This has allowed Pope, who is the vice-captain of the side, to be given his first assignment. Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Hussain said that it’s good Pope is getting some time leading the team so that England will have a backup option heading into Australia for the Ashes, in case Stokes gets injured.
“I think it’s good for Pope to be captain for three Tests, just in case, Ben Stokes does get injured in the future,” Hussain said. “They need other options. Just like when they go to Australia, and they don’t want a bowling attack that’s inexperienced.”
“You don’t want to get there with someone [leading] who hasn’t done it before,” said Hussain.
Michael Atherton, however, felt that Pope is in an awkward position as Stokes has left a permanent mark on the side.
“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,” said Atherton.
“While you are captain and you make decisions, it’s someone else’s team. It’s a slightly awkward position for him.”
Hussain also feels that Pope would need to quickly establish himself as a leader within the side.
“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.”
“But the other side of that, when you’re captain. You’ve to sell that belief. Sell yourself to the team, your plans,” said Hussain.
The first Test between England and Sri Lanka will start on August 21.
