Pope ready to become ideas man
‘I’LL BE FINE IF BEN’S UNFIT’
OLLIE POPE will challenge Ben Stokes with new ideas in the Ashes but will stick to the skipper’s script if he has to take the reins.
England’s new Test vice-captain is just a broken finger, an upset stomach or a knee twinge away from having to lead the team against Australia.
And after seeing the way Stokes moved gingerly at Lord’s in the win against Ireland, it has not escaped Pope’s attention his time to take over may arrive sooner rather than later.
But while he believes his job is to counter Stokes with different plans of attack when they are in the team together, it will be steady as ‘Bazball’ goes if he ends up in charge.
Pope said: “It’s a big honour to be vice-captain of your country and absolutely I’m ready if need be.
“Right now I’m going to give my opinion and challenge Stokesy when he needs challenging. We’re going to be tested so it’s not always about agreeing with him – it’s about providing a different opinion to let ponder in his mind as well.
“Fingers crossed Stokesy’s body is all good. It’s going to take a hell of a lot for him not to be on the pitch even for a day’s play, knowing what he’s like.
“But if it did happen I feel confident. We’ve played a lot together as a team over the last year and he knows how he wants the bowlers to operate, the kind of fields he sets.
“I’ve got a pretty good understanding of how he runs things now and if needs be can implement the same ideas.”
Pope believes Australia will see a much improved version of the player who toiled Down Under in 2021-22, when the Surrey star scored 67 runs at an average of 11 in three Tests.
“I’m not happy with the way I played in Australia – that’s pretty obvious,” said the 25-year-old.
“That was my first time in Australia, on different kinds of pitches.
“Since then I’ve put a lot of hard work into my game. I feel like I’m a different player, mentally and technically.
“I know how the bowlers are going to challenge me, what they’re like as bowlers, their pace, their angles and stuff. So, that’s always a benefit.”