Ollie Pope Leads England Against Sri Lanka

Ollie Pope, the stand-in captain for England, faced challenges in the second Test against Sri Lanka, highlighted by his dismissal after a poor shot, leaving England at 42-2. Despite a strong start from Sri Lanka, Pope expressed confidence that his team could secure a series win, emphasizing the need to play their best cricket. Having led England to victory in his first match as captain, Pope aims to improve his batting form, as he managed only 12 runs in his previous outing. He is focused on maintaining a balance between his leadership role and batting responsibilities, seeking advice from former captain Joe Root. England has made a minor adjustment to their squad, bringing in Olly Stone due to Mark Wood's injury. Pope remains optimistic about the team's preparation and potential performance against Sri Lanka at Lord's.