Ollie Pope confirmed as England’s full-time Test vice-captain; Affirms his contention for Captaincy spot if needed

Ollie Pope has been announced as the new England Men’s Test vice-captain ahead of the summer Ashes series – and is feeling confident about England’s chances of claiming a victory over Australia on home soil.

The 25-year-old Surrey batter has racked up 35 Test appearances for the national side and is expected to line up at No.3 over the course of this summer in a series he firmly believes England can win in front of a home crowd.

And what a time to be handed the role, a month out from the Ashes as England aim to claim the title for the first time since 2015, having won just two of 15 Ashes Test matches in the last eight years.

Pope understands the weight of the occasion but firmly believes the England camp is confident of going all the way, despite harbouring major respect for their Australian counterparts.

When asked whether England have what it takes to topple the Aussie visitors, Pope said:

Yeah, absolutely. Everyone’s had a different preparation so far. Some of us have been playing county cricket, some in the IPL, but I think at the same time, all you want to feel going into an Ashes series is feeling like you’re prepared, you’ve hit enough balls in the nets, you’ve sort of got confidence in your game and you’re fresh as well. Fresh and excited and confident.

‘If required I feel in a good enough place to take over’ – Ollie Pope on leading England if Ben Stokes fails to play

Pope, 25, has long been seen as a potential captain of the national side in the years to come, but until recently had struggled to hold down a regular place in the Test XI. Now established at No.3, he has also led the team in warmup fixtures.

When asked about handling the new part he has been bestowed with, the 25- time-old said that being with Stokes has helped him to some extent as he has observed the fabulous Southpaw from close diggings on how he goes about leading the platoon. likewise, Pope also showed his bold side by saying that should Ben Stokes fails to lead the team due to ongoing injury enterprises, he’s each ready to take on the mantle and lead the platoon. He also admits that though he may not replicate all the effects his senior does but can execute his ideas and dispatches to the side in his own ways.

“There is only one Ben Stokes,” Pope said. “I have watched how he goes about stuff closely. If he were to get injured I will not try to replicate exactly what he does in terms of his team talks and that kind of thing, but if it were to happen [I would] just implement the same ideas and messages,” Pope was quoted as saying by the BBC.

“Fingers crossed he can stay fit, stay on the park, score his runs and take his wickets, but if required I feel in a good enough place to take over,” Pope concluded.

England announce 15-member squad for the one-off Ireland Test Squad: Ben Stokes (c), James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood

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