Michael Vaughan claims Ollie Pope is NOT cut out to be England captain – but suggests the struggling batsman is better placed in other high-responsibility role

• Ollie Pope has struggled during England’s summer Test series against Sri Lanka
• Michael Vaughan has suggested the 26-year-old is not ready to be captain
• Pope has been standing in as captain in place of the injured Ben Stokes 

By Ryan Walker

Michael Vaughan has backed his criticism of Ollie Pope by claiming the England vice-captain isn’t cut out to be the team’s main skipper.

Pope has been trusted to score big runs in the absence of the injured Ben Stokes, but has struggled at the crease during his side’s current 100 per cent win record against their summer Test opposition.

The 26-year-old managed a combined total of just 18 runs across two innings against Sri Lanka during the third Test that the hosts comfortably won by 190 runs at Lord’s.

Pope has faced criticism for his performances during the summer Test series, despite previously being tipped as a future captain of the national team. Harry Brook is currently deputising for Stokes.

Legendary England skipper, Vaughan, gave his assessment on Pope’s suitability for the high-pressure role that has previously proved difficult for the likes of Joe Root and Alistair Cook.

Ollie Pope has struggled during England’s summer Test series against Sri Lanka

Pope (pictured) had been trusted to score big runs for England against Sri Lanka in the absence of Ben Stokes

England cricket legend Michael Vaughan has claimed Pope is not cut-out to be captain

Writing in his column for The Telegraph, Vaughan praised Pope for being an ideal back-up to the captain, but stressed his belief that the London-born player isn’t cut out to be the main man in England’s set-up. 

‘Ollie Pope is the ideal vice-captain for England. Pope is that perfect foil for Ben Stokes,’ stated Vaughan.

‘He is a very good guy, trains well and is a real team man – someone who can give tactical advice when required and is happy in the background. But he is better kept in that role, as vice-captain, than elevated to captain.

The 26-year-old managed a combined total of just 18 runs across two innings against Sri Lanka during the third Test

‘Not every vice-captain is going to make a captain. There are also a lot of captains who cannot be vice-captains, myself included. I wanted to be the leader. I wanted to be making the decision,’ he added.

‘I did not want to be the thoughtful strategist in the background. I hope that Pope fights through his poor run of form. 

‘I hope he can find a way of getting that rhythm. In a game’s time, he is not going to be a captain, and it is purely about his batting. Can he find that rhythm and that calmness at the crease?,’ said Vaughan.

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Michael Vaughan claims Ollie Pope is NOT cut out to be England captain – but suggests the struggling batsman is better placed in other high-responsibility role

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