Confidence wasn’t helped by the ludicrous decision to strip him of the vice-captaincy. If you know your captain is a physical liability, which Stokes historically has been, then you are invariably going to need two vice-captains, one who can deputise the other when the actual captain is out. It’s a small point, granted, but it seemed illogical and unnecessary when it happened.
Pope is a good player but not a three and needs to go back to four for Surrey; seasons have been wasted pursuing this failed experiment. He might be offered up now as the sacrifice for events so far, but it would be misguided to think he alone is responsible, or even irresponsible…
Make him wicket keeper is the only way he will stay in this team now for me! That ain’t happening