Ollie Pope made his debut as England's Test captain against Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford, stepping in for the injured Ben Stokes. Chris Woakes praised Pope's leadership, noting his ability to adapt and communicate effectively with bowlers, as England dismissed Sri Lanka for 236 runs. Despite facing challenges, including bad light, Pope's optimistic approach was evident as he led his team to a solid start, ending the day at 22 without loss. Joe Root emphasized the significance of Pope's captaincy for the team's evolution, while Stokes expressed his trust in Pope's decision-making. As England prepares for the remaining matches, Pope's performance will be closely analyzed to assess his potential as a long-term captain. This Test marks Pope's 47th match, and he becomes the 82nd player to lead England in Test cricket.