Veteran England pacer Stuart Broad has backed wicketkeeper-batter Ollie Pope to become the English side's Test skipper in the future.
After taking over from Joe Root as England's Test captain, Ben Stokes doesn't have a deputy yet.
Prior to England's 3-0 series victory in Pakistan, Pope led the squad for a match against the England Lions. He did the same in Hamilton for a two-day encounter against a New Zealand XI that acted as a warm-up for two Tests against New Zealand.
Despite Pope not being appointed as the official vice-captain, the pacer is delighted that a talented player has been passed on the baton.
"I think Popey is a great leader. He speaks really well in the group, he's got a great cricket mind and there's no doubt you can see him as a future England captain," Broad said.
Meanwhile, Pope also opened up about the responsibility of leading the side.
"For now there's no title on it. I'm just going to keep helping out where I can," Pope said. "There's no label on it, but it might be an option they are looking at in the future. It's just good to be seen as a leader in that dressing room.
"Stokesy [Stokes] is the captain, he knows exactly how he wants to run it, but he comes up and bounces ideas off me sometimes, and he'll do the same with some of the really experienced guys in the changing room too
"Baz [Brendon] McCullum and Stokesy have been great. They've allowed us young players to grow and I think each one of us feel like it's our team now.
"I'm just going to keep developing that cricket brain and if it came about in the future, great, I'll make sure I learn as much as possible before then. At the same time, I realise I've got a big job at number three to keep doing. If I can keep impressing there, who knows what the future holds?"
It must be noted that the first Test between England and New Zealand will kick off in Mount Maunganui on February 16.
- Stuart Broad