With regular Test captain Ben Stokes sidelined due to injury, England's vice-captain Ollie Pope will take the reins for the upcoming three-match Test series against Sri Lanka. This unexpected opportunity presents Pope with his first captaincy stint, an experience that former England captains Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton believe will be beneficial as a potential backup for next year’s Ashes series in Australia.

Stokes, who sustained a hamstring tear during The Hundred, will miss the rest of the English summer, leaving a temporary void in the leadership role. Pope, 26, now finds himself in charge of a team shaped by Stokes' influential and dynamic captaincy.

On the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Hussain emphasized the importance of Pope gaining captaincy experience before the Ashes. “It’s good for Pope to be captain for three Tests, just in case Ben Stokes gets injured in the future,” Hussain remarked. He highlighted that England needs alternative leadership options, particularly when preparing for a challenging tour like the Ashes in Australia.

However, both Hussain and Atherton acknowledge that Pope’s temporary appointment comes with its own set of challenges. Atherton noted the somewhat precarious nature of the role, stating, “Essentially, you’re in a caretaker position. And Ben Stokes has left such a permanent mark on the side, Ollie Pope wouldn’t want to change that.” Atherton added that leading a team while being fully aware it’s “someone else’s team” can be an awkward position for any captain.

Hussain also pointed out that Pope has yet to fully establish himself as a natural leader within the team. He explained that Pope’s appointment as vice-captain was meant to help him grow into the role, adding, “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.” Hussain further elaborated that when captaining, it’s crucial to “sell yourself to the team, your plans.”

Despite these concerns, both former captains agree that Pope is a well-liked figure within the squad and extend their best wishes for his success in this new role. England’s summer began on a high note with a 3-0 Test series victory over the West Indies, where Pope played a key role, scoring 239 runs at an impressive average of 59.75. As he steps into the captaincy for the first time, Pope will aim to continue his strong form and lead England to victory against Sri Lanka.

The first Test between England and Sri Lanka will commence on August 21 at Old Trafford in Manchester.