Pope, who became England’s 82nd men’s skipper in place of the injured Ben Stokes, lost the toss but looked to have the golden touch as England reduced their opponents to a miserable score of six for three in the opening half an hour.
They were still well short of a competitive total when they slumped to 92 for six shortly after lunch but Pope’s hopes of a frictionless outing were met with defiance from opposite number Dhananjaya De Silva (74) and debutant Milan Rathnayake (72).
Bad light meant Pope had to utilise spin at both ends as Sri Lanka eventually subsided for 236, far from an intimidating total but one they would have happily taken during their early struggles.
With Stokes watching on from the balcony, Pope would have been particularly frustrated by Rathnayake, who came in at number nine and made the highest score of his first-class career.
England made 22 without loss from four overs before stumps were called, with Dan Lawrence surviving an awkward late passage on his first outing in more than two years. He and Ben Duckett will now get the chance to resume this morning when England will be eyeing a sizeable lead.
“For his first day on the job, as an inexperienced captain, I thought he did a great job,” said Chris Woakes. “He probably found himself having to switch on a bit more than he would normally. As captain you have to be on the ball all the time, constantly thinking about fields, bowling changes, things like that.
”It’s talking and communicating with your bowlers, which is something he doesn’t have to do usually, so I thought he did a great job with us as bowlers.
This story is from the August 22, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 22, 2024 edition of The Independent.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
'I didn't think I'd make it'
Adam Smith, the commentator with a voice synonymous with boxing’, tells Alex Pattle about his enforced absence from the sport and his agonising battle with cancer
England charge back after early Australian fireworks
England weathered some early fireworks from Travis Head to restrict Australia to 179 in their series-opening T20 against Australia.
Reeves must cut the gloom to return the UK to growth
Not many people are inclined to feel much sympathy for Rachel Reeves at the moment the cut to winter fuel payments could hardly have gone down worse but she’s been dealt a dismal hand. And now the economy has stalled on her.
Stones opens up on Euros hurt and Harry's hundred.
Defender eyes century of caps as young Lions add energy’
‘Age gap, schmage gap - it's a bit cringe, but love is love'
Harriet Dyer and Patrick Brammall are co-writers, co-stars, and married. They tell Ellie Harrison what it’s like to work together on their hit comedy series Colin from Accounts’
How 'Funeral' cost Arcade Fire blood, sweat and tears
Mark Beaumont talks to members of the band about how the seminal album was shaped by death, near-fatal live shows and the Montreal music scene, 20 years since its initial release
'I realised he could kill me
After James Barr’s ex became abusive, the comedian ended up living in fear of his partner. He believes we need to talk more about domestic violence in the queer community
'I use my fuel allowance to go out for dinner at The Ivy'
As the backlash grows over the decision to cut the benefit for some pensioners, Zoe Beaty heads to Harrogate in Yorkshire where she nears two very different takes on Labour’s policy
Where's a warm winter trip outside the Schengen area?
A Brexit really does keep on giving, doesn’t it? The decision to leave the European Union was followed by the UK securing its status as a “third country”, alongside Paraguay and East Timor, thereby making British travellers subject to all kinds of red tape.
The thrilling tale of six days that changed Britain forever
Ben Macintyre’s unputdownable new book The Siege’ tells the story of an SAS op like no other, writes Robert McCrum
