Published: Aug 17, 2024, 05:11 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 17, 2024, 05:11 PM (IST)
Former England captain Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton gave their views on Ollie Pope as England Cricket Board (ECB) announced Pope as the new captain since their regular captain Ben Stokes got ruled out for the remaining English summer because of an injury in his hamstring . Hussain said that the Sri Lanka series will be as an important preparation stage for the new skipper.
“I think it’s good for Pope to be captain for three Tests, just in case, Ben Stokes does get injured in the future, 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 who hasn’t done it before.” Said Hussain
Nasser also said a few things about how Pope may face a hard time being the captain because of how much success the team has got all because of Stokes.
“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 the 56-year-old.
