Ollie Pope says he will put his hands up for Test Captaincy after being selected as vice-captain against Ireland Test

Ollie Pope has recently been appointed as the vice-captain of the England Test team for the upcoming one-off Test against Ireland. Although Pope doesn’t have enough prior captaincy experience, the 25-year-old has put his hands up for Test captaincy if the situation arrives. Pope has captained Surrey once in first-class cricket so far.

Pope said that he wants the regular Test skipper Ben Stokes to play all six Test matches in the English summer. Later he added that he is also ready to take on the responsibility if Stokes wishes to manage his workload. Stokes has been dealing with injury concerns ahead of a one-off Test against Ireland, starting on June 1 at Lords. The 31-year-old sustained a knee injury during the ongoing season of IPL.

“Everyone wants to see Stokesy play all six Tests so fingers crossed his body is all good and he can do that. But if it is the case [that I captain] then I feel ready. It is a big step up from doing it in warm-up games but I have had a bit of experience with it. I have been watching Stokesy fairly closely with how he goes about his captaincy. There is only one Ben Stokes. I wouldn’t try to be him but if called upon I feel confident I can relay the same messages to the guys,” Pope told Sky Sports.

‘I’ve tried to help out Stokesy wherever I can’ – Pope

Pope further said that it has been an ‘honour’ for him to get selected as the vice-captain as the England Cricket Board management showed faith in him. However, he also said that it wouldn’t change anything for him and he will go on doing his job normally and give inputs for the team whenever needed.

“It’s a big honour. I was excited to find out and it is a nice thing to have, gives you that extra bit of confidence that you are being backed by management and team-mates. It doesn’t really change anything for me. I’ve tried to help out Stokesy wherever I can, not that he needs it, if I have got any ideas and we obviously have some great guys to call upon with amazing experience, so those guys will be great to lean on,” Pope said