- Pope needs to adjust his stance for better play.
- Faces competition from batsmen like Jordan Cox.
- Must develop a consistent technique.
The role of vice-captain in cricket is crucial yet often overlooked. Ollie Pope has proven to be an excellent vice-captain for England, complementing Ben Stokes well with his solid work ethic, tactical insights, and team spirit. However, Pope’s strengths are best utilized in this supporting role rather than as captain.
Not every vice-captain transitions smoothly into a captaincy role. Some players excel in one position but struggle in the other. Pope’s recent captaincy has added pressure at a time when he was still adjusting to batting at No. 3, following a solid performance against the West Indies. This added responsibility may have exacerbated his current struggles.
In cricket, the vice-captain’s role is akin to an assistant manager in football—a vital position that differs significantly from being the manager. During my captaincy, Marcus Trescothick was an outstanding vice-captain who perfectly complemented my leadership. Pope, while a valuable team player, may have been better served by remaining in his vice-captain role rather than taking on the captaincy at this stage.
Looking forward, Harry Brook appears to be a more natural successor to Stokes as captain, given his approach and style. In the interim, Joe Root could be a suitable choice for temporary captaincy if needed. As for Pope, while I hope to be proven wrong, his current struggles and technical issues—such as his imbalance on the front foot and issues with his batting technique—suggest that the captaincy may have been an added burden he didn’t need at this point in his career.
Top teams will soon target the fourth-stump line, aiming to bring the ball back in. To counter this, Pope needs to stay more upright and adjust his head position to align better with the ball. This adjustment could improve his performance.
Pope is undeniably talented and aggressive, but with significant batting talent available, he faces increasing pressure. Jordan Cox, currently the backup batsman, is a promising prospect whose technical skills need refinement to secure a place for the series against India next summer and the Ashes the following winter.
Pope must find a consistent playing rhythm and mental approach, achievable through a solid technique that helps him handle the first 20 balls effectively. This has been a challenge in his Test career so far.
With Joe Root, England’s finest player, available for guidance, Pope should seek his advice to develop a reliable daily process. It’s crucial for Pope to stabilize his game rather than leaving spectators uncertain about his performance. At the Oval next week, adopting a more traditional approach and challenging the Sri Lankan bowlers to bowl to him could be beneficial.
