It would be remarkable to drop Ollie Pope after 171
Ben Stokes insists Ollie Pope was never in danger of being dropped for this week's opening Test against India, claiming it would be 'remarkable' to leave his vice-captain out. Jacob Bethell is pushing hard for a place in the red-ball side as he continues his sharp ascent through the ranks but while he was at the Indian Premier League last month, Pope firmed up his spot at number three with a knock of 171 against Zimbabwe. If there were ever any doubts over him holding on to his shirt, that innings at Trent Bridge extinguished them and he remains the man in possession heading into a huge five-match series that begins on Friday at Headingley.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
ABC News
4 hours ago
- ABC News
India plunders runs against England after Ben Stoke sends them in to bat in first Test
England has been left to rue sending India in to bat at Headingley in the first Test of their five-game series, with the tourists dominating day one with the bat to finish 3-359. The retirement of icons Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma in less than a year piled the pressure on the next generation to step up, and new skipper Shubman Gill (127*) and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (101) immediately looked ready to fill the void. The additional absence of Ravichandran Ashwin and his 537 Test wickets left India facing a daunting task during the tour of England. With England missing several frontline bowlers through injury for the series opener in Leeds, India was keen to make an early mark. Jaiswal and Gill proved there was still plenty of depth left in the Indian batting line-up as the visitors piled on the runs to reach stumps on top after Ben Stokes won the toss and chose to field. Former England captain Michael Vaughan said he was "staggered" by the decision to send India in on a dry pitch in sunny conditions, despite England's penchant for audacious run chases under Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum. "Just because you've won a year ago, two years ago or three years ago, it can't really affect what the decision is today. And they've allowed India with a youngish batting line-up and a new captain to just go and play," Vaughan said in commentary for the BBC. The next 10 Tests could define how the "Bazball" combination of Stokes and McCullum are viewed, after plenty of highs and lows over the past few years, with the Ashes series in Australia following India's visit. Each of the previous six Test matches have been won by the side bowling first, including Australia's losses in the 2019 and 2023 Ashes, but only once in that stretch (New Zealand in 2022) did the opening innings exceed 300 runs. Opener Jaiswal was not overawed by any stretch, as he became the first Indian batter to score centuries in his first match in both Australia and England with a flawless display of off-side batting. Three of the 23-year-old's five centuries have come against England, having amassed a colossal 813 runs in 10 Tests when facing McCullum's side. While Jaiswal dealt with the heat on a scorching Leeds day, Gill could not have been under more scrutiny. Without a Test century outside Asia, Gill came to the crease in Kohli's number four position in the order, with quick wickets before lunch swinging the momentum in England's favour. After back-to-back fours in the 32nd over settled his early nerves, Gill sprayed boundaries to all corners, bringing up his hundred with a glorious drive through the covers. All-rounder Stokes, for his part, was the best of England's bowlers as he took 2-43 from 13 overs. It is the 34-year-old's second Test this year after tearing his hamstring while playing against New Zealand in December. Reuters/ABC
News.com.au
5 hours ago
- News.com.au
Ellie Carpenter one step closer to signing with Chelsea in the WSL after wife signs with London City
A massive transfer deal that would put Ellie Carpenter and Sam Kerr at the same English club is a step closer with a key piece of the move confirmed. Carpenter's wife Danielle van de Donk was this morning confirmed as signing with newly promoted English Women's Super League side London City Lionesses. The pair met and were playing together in French league side Lyon. Van de Donk's contract was not renewed and Lionesses were quick to snag her signature. Carpenter still has a year left on her contract but it is unlikely she will want to play in France while her wife lives in England. Sources say Kerr's club Chelsea are keen to sign the talented defender - offering up right back Ashley Lawrence in return. It would be a good move for Carpenter who has achieved all there is to achieve with Lyon - including multiple league titles and Champions league victory. While the French league is one of the best in the world there is huge investment occurring in the WSL with plans for expansion for the 2026/27 season.
News.com.au
6 hours ago
- News.com.au
Gill & Jaiswal ton up as India dominate
Cricket: Shubman Gill marked his first innings as India captain with a sparkling hundred after fellow young gun Yashasvi Jaiswal also scored a fine century against England.
