Regular skipper Itoje has been named on bench for first time since 2017
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Pope asks Root for ways to ‘compartmentalise’ batting and captaincy
England's Joe Root and Ollie Pope before the team group photo during a nets session at Lord's, London, August 28, 2024
OLLIE POPE has sought out the advice of Joe Root after admitting the demands of being stand-in England captain had crept into his batting against Sri Lanka.
In the first of three outings deputising for the injured Ben Stokes, Pope oversaw England’s five-wicket victory at Old Trafford last week, an experience only tempered by being twice out for six.
His second-innings dismissal, where he miscued a reverse sweep, drew faint criticism and Pope accepts he struggled to switch off from leading the team and concentrate fully on batting at number three.
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