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"There’s a bit more to it": Atherton on Brook's appointment as ENG vice-captain for Ashes

Shreyasi

Atherton and Harry Brook [Source: AFP]Atherton and Harry Brook [Source: AFP]

Former England captain Michael Atherton shared his opinion about England's recently announced squad for the Ashes 2025-26. He went on to comment on Ollie Pope's future and said that the Harry Brook being elevated as vice-captain instead of Pope threw major hints.

Atherton finds ‘interesting’ angle in England squad for Ashes

England’s squad for the Ashes 2025-26 made it to the headlines, especially for two reasons. One was the selection of Will Jacks, and another one was Harry Brook being chosen as vice-captain instead of Olli Pope. Speaking to Sky Sports, former England captain Atherton shared his thoughts on the same.

“I thought that [the vice-captaincy change] was the most significant bit of news actually, given that the squad was kind of predictable with the exception of [Will] Jacks,” Atherton was quoted by Sky Sports.
"I thought, actually, that was the bit of news that interested me the most. One, because it may not be the case that Stokes plays all five games. He’s 34 years of age. Five Tests come quickly. The last three come very quickly. In recent times, although he looked in fantastic physical condition against India and bowled as well as he had for maybe six or seven years, he still got injured at the end of it and didn’t quite see that five-Test match series through. So he may not play all five, in which case it’s going to be Brook, not Pope [as captain]. But I felt there’s a bit more to it than that," he continued.

Atherton’s take on Rob Key’s claims regarding Ollie Pope

Although following the squad announcement. Director of Cricket Rob Key had said that there was no 'ulterior motive', but Atherton refused to believe so. Going by his instinct, he reckoned,

“He [Key] suggested there is no ulterior motive as far as the Pope decision is concerned, in the sense that he’s the man in possession at No. 3 and the fact that he’s no longer vice-captain doesn’t mean automatically he’s going to be demoted for Jacob Bethell. But I just have an instinct, a feeling in the waters, that they are going to play Bethell. That’s just a guess, really, just a kind of instinct you get. I think that decision is kind of rolled into that."

Australia and England will take on each other in the first Ashes Test in Perth from November 21 onwards.