Ollie Pope has sought advice from Joe Root on managing the dual pressures of batting and captaincy after an uneven debut as England’s stand-in skipper against Sri Lanka. Pope, stepping in for the injured Ben Stokes, led England to a five-wicket victory at Old Trafford, securing a 1-0 lead in the three-match series. However, the No. 3 batsman struggled personally, being dismissed for six runs in both innings, with his second dismissal resulting from an ill-advised reverse sweep.
Despite Stokes’ absence, England’s squad includes the experienced Joe Root, who captained the team in a record 64 Tests from 2017 to 2022. Root’s tenure saw him score 14 centuries, even as the team faced challenging periods. As England prepares for the second Test at Lord’s, starting Thursday, Pope has turned to Root for guidance on maintaining his batting form while leading the team.
“I really enjoyed the week,” Pope said during a pre-match press conference at Lord’s. “The runs didn’t come for me, but I hope to separate my roles as captain and batsman in the coming weeks. I spoke with Joe about how to keep them distinct. It’s about managing the demands on the field and finding a routine.”
Pope praised Root’s cricketing acumen, emphasizing the importance of compartmentalizing responsibilities. “We bounced a few ideas off each other,” Pope added, noting Root’s status as England’s best batter.
England, under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, has become known for its aggressive play, especially when batting. However, Root demonstrated a different approach by anchoring England’s successful chase of 205 at Old Trafford with an unbeaten 62 off 128 balls on a slow pitch.
“We don’t use the term ‘Bazball,’ but we adapted our style at Old Trafford, which can help us progress as a team,” Pope explained. “When we can be ruthless, we must be to win as many games as possible.”
Although Stokes has resumed batting in the nets, he remains sidelined following a hamstring tear suffered earlier this month. Pope is optimistic about Stokes’ return for the upcoming tours of Pakistan and New Zealand, believing the time off will allow him to reflect and improve.
“Injuries are never ideal, but they provide opportunities for reflection and growth,” Pope said. “I’m sure that’s what Ben is doing in the nets. He’ll be as fresh as anyone for the Pakistan and New Zealand series.”
