\n<\/p>\n
Stand-in England captain Ollie Pope says he is \u201cnot hiding\u201d from his poor form after a highest score of 17 in his past five Test innings.<\/b><\/p>\n
Pope, 26, has led England to a series victory over Sri Lanka, but managed only 30 runs in his two matches in charge.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s the way cricket is sometimes – form comes and goes,\u201d said Pope.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe best players are the ones who can draw a line under it. Hopefully I can put a score together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pope has stepped up to lead England for the first time in the absence of captain Ben Stokes, who is missing the Sri Lanka series with a hamstring injury.<\/p>\n
In the opening two Tests of the summer against West Indies, Pope made a century and two half-centuries in three innings, only to struggle since.<\/p>\n
England won the second Test against Sri Lanka at Lord\u2019s by 190 runs, with Pope contributing scores of one and 17.<\/p>\n
After the first innings, former England skipper Michael Vaughan said Pope is \u201cnot the kind of personality I’d want as the England captain\u201d.<\/p>\n
Surrey\u2019s Pope said he was \u201cnot surprised\u201d his position has attracted debate.<\/p>\n
\u201cChatting to Stokesy before this series, when you\u2019re captain you attract a lot more,\u201d said Pope.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s important to block it out and stay close with the people around me.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are a lot of voices, a lot of guys who want to have their say, past cricketers as well. That\u2019s completely fine. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n