England dropping Pope would be 'remarkable'
England v India - first Test
Venue: Headingley Dates: 20-24 June Time: 11:00 BST
Coverage: Ball-by-ball radio commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and BBC Sounds. In-play video clips and text commentary on the BBC Sport website and app. Today at the Test on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two each night.
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England dropping Ollie Pope for Jacob Bethell would have been "remarkable" after the batter scored 171 against Zimbabwe last month, says captain Ben Stokes.
Choosing between vice-captain Pope and 21-year-old Bethell was the major selection decision for England before the first Test against India on Friday at Headingley.
England opted to retain Pope at number three, despite Bethell impressing in that position after being given his debut in New Zealand last year.
"The 'big selection' [idea] did not come from us," Stokes said.
"It would be remarkable to choose someone else if their last knock was a 170, and that's pretty much all I need to say on that."
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Bethell's opportunity at number three came when Pope stood in as wicketkeeper during Jamie's Smith paternity leave and moved down the order.
Bethell scored half-centuries in each of the three Tests in New Zealand but then missed the Test against Zimbabwe because he was playing in the Indian Premier League.
Pope went back to the position he has held since Stokes took over as captain in 2022 - he averages 43.06 at first drop despite also returning a series of low scores - against Zimbabwe and scored his seventh Test hundred in the role.
"In this day and age it's very tough to not see all that kind of speculation and stuff around it just because of how easily accessible things are. You don't even have to go and hunt for it to see it these days," Stokes said of Pope.
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"But I think scoring 170 in his last Test match has sort of shown how well he's handled that extra scrutiny."
England have had 'honest conversations' around style
With an Ashes series in Australia to follow in the winter, the start of the much-anticipated five-match series against India signals the beginning of a run of 10 Tests which will define Stokes' reign as captain.
Stokes, though, was keen to refute any suggestion England would have an eye on Australia while playing India.
"We will come to that when we come to that but for us right now it's about focusing on these five games that we've got coming up against India," he said.
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The series also comes at an intriguing time for Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum with England having won four and lost four of their past eight matches.
With their aggressive approach, they have reached remarkable highs - there were notable victories in their first year in charge against New Zealand, India and Pakistan - but series wins against West Indies, Sri Lanka and New Zealand over the past 12 months have also been interspersed with awful defeats.
Stokes says the squad have had "honest conversations" about how to improve.
"I don't think defensive frame of mind is the right way of saying it," Stokes said.
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"I think it's just being smarter in those situations when it's obvious that the opposition is on top of us at that moment and they have got the upper hand on us.
"'What do we need to do to wrestle that momentum back towards us so then we can start putting the pressure back onto them?'."
Teams to play for Anderson-Tendulkar trophy
The teams will play for the new Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy, named after legendary former players James Anderson and Sachin Tendulkar. The trophy replaces the Pataudi Trophy, named after the Pataudi family.
"It's a fabulous feeling," Tendulkar told the BBC. "When I got to know about the honour, I was ecstatic.
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"I remember sharing this with my family and also spoke to Pataudi family as well.
"I feel it's a reflection of what, not just me, but Jimmy and I have been able to contribute to our nation in Test cricket and it's all about Test cricket, which is the most challenging format."
Anderson said: "It's pretty surreal.
"You don't start playing cricket for things like this to happen, but when they do happen it's lovely, especially alongside Sachin.
"I've not only played against him quite a few times, but growing up, watching him, seeing him play for Yorkshire as well, it's just an incredible feeling and I'm very honoured to be a part of it."
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