By England’s Test vice-captain, Ollie Pope, is optimistic about his team’s future as they look to build on recent successes. England’s victory over the West Indies in the second Test at Trent Bridge has secured their first multi-match series win since late 2022. Pope is hopeful that this winning streak can become a regular habit.
Despite only losing one series under the leadership of Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum—namely, the recent 4-1 defeat to India—England has now won four out of seven completed series. They also secured victories against Ireland and India in rescheduled Tests. Stokes’ win percentage stands at 61.53%, ranking third among captains who have led at least 25 Tests.
Following drawn series against New Zealand and Australia, and a loss to India, England needed to regain their winning form. The team is now preparing for future challenges, including the 2025-26 Ashes series.
“There was a lot said after the India series,” Pope noted. “Winning can become a habit, and our performance in these two games has been exceptional, as reflected in the results.”
New players have stepped up, contributing to England’s success. With James Anderson’s retirement and Ben Foakes and Jonny Bairstow’s removal from the squad, newcomers like Gus Atkinson and Jamie Smith have made significant impacts. Atkinson, with 12 wickets in the second Test, and Smith, with a notable 70 in his debut innings, have seamlessly integrated into the team. Shoaib Bashir also made a strong impression with his match-winning performance.
Pope praised the balance of the current squad, highlighting that tough decisions, such as selecting new players over veterans, have paid off. “We’ve got a well-balanced attack and batting lineup. The new players have stepped up beautifully, and we’re building from here,” he said.
Pope himself contributed significantly, scoring 121 and 51 at Trent Bridge. After a period of poor form, his performance suggests he is returning to his best. “I felt I played better in the second innings, and I’m glad to have made it count,” Pope remarked.
England’s performance at Trent Bridge also included a historic achievement—scoring 400 runs in both innings for the first time. Pope acknowledged that while this aggressive approach reflects their natural game, the team is aiming to be “more ruthless” moving forward.
“We want to be as ruthless as we can as a batting unit,” Pope stated. “We’ll continue to play our natural game but strive to be more decisive and effective in our performances.”
Overall, England’s recent form and strategic adjustments suggest a positive outlook as they prepare for future challenges in Test cricket.
