Latest news with #Bethell
Evening Standard
10 hours ago
- Sport
- Evening Standard
England vs India: Judgment awaits Brendan McCullum and Ben Stokes in epic year
Bethell's fine start to life means that although the shirt remains in Pope's possession for now - and Stokes has said it would have been a 'remarkable' decision to drop his vice-captain - two lean Tests may prompt England to make the swap. Before Pope's century against Zimbabwe, his form had been substandard, reaching 30 only three times in his previous 17 innings. What's more his record against India (average 24.60) and Australia (average 15.7) is poor. There was one way England could have picked both, which was to leave out Shoaib Bashir and go without a specialist spinner, which England sources had not ruled out. It always seemed unlikely, however. With spin playing less of a role in recent years in Australia, where pitches are more seam conducive, it is a team balance that may be an option for the Ashes later this year.
Fox Sports
a day ago
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Stokes gives strong backing to Pope as England's No. 3 batter for India series
Associated Press LEEDS, England (AP) — Who to pick at No. 3 out of Ollie Pope and Jacob Bethell was widely regarded as England's biggest selection poser heading into the highly anticipated, five-match test series against India. Turns out, it wasn't much of a headache for Ben Stokes. 'It would be remarkable to choose someone else if their last knock was 170,' the England captain said Thursday of the decision to keep faith with Pope after his big hundred in the one-off test against Zimbabwe last month. The 21-year-old Bethell is the next big thing in English cricket, a rising star in all formats who made a strong start to his test career — in the No. 3 position — by scoring a half-century in each test of the three-match series against New Zealand over the winter. However, Bethell didn't play against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge because he was finishing off a stint in the Indian Premier League. Pope did play and, batting at No. 3, made 171 for his third biggest test knock. Pope is the team's vice captain and remains a trusted ally of Stokes, despite continued speculation over his place in the team. 'Having him at No. 3 and, since I've been captain over three years, averaging over 40. It speaks for itself, I think,' Stokes said. 'In this day and age, it's very tough to not see all the speculation and stuff around it, just because of how easily accessible things are. You don't even have to go hunt for it to see it these days. But I think scoring 170 in his last test match shows how well he's handled the extra scrutiny. It comes with the territory when you are an international player.' ___ AP cricket: in this topic
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Stokes gives strong backing to Pope as England's No. 3 batter for India series
LEEDS, England (AP) — Who to pick at No. 3 out of Ollie Pope and Jacob Bethell was widely regarded as England's biggest selection poser heading into the highly anticipated, five-match test series against India. Turns out, it wasn't much of a headache for Ben Stokes. 'It would be remarkable to choose someone else if their last knock was 170,' the England captain said Thursday of the decision to keep faith with Pope after his big hundred in the one-off test against Zimbabwe last month. The 21-year-old Bethell is the next big thing in English cricket, a rising star in all formats who made a strong start to his test career — in the No. 3 position — by scoring a half-century in each test of the three-match series against New Zealand over the winter. However, Bethell didn't play against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge because he was finishing off a stint in the Indian Premier League. Pope did play and, batting at No. 3, made 171 for his third biggest test knock. Pope is the team's vice captain and remains a trusted ally of Stokes, despite continued speculation over his place in the team. 'Having him at No. 3 and, since I've been captain over three years, averaging over 40. It speaks for itself, I think,' Stokes said. 'In this day and age, it's very tough to not see all the speculation and stuff around it, just because of how easily accessible things are. You don't even have to go hunt for it to see it these days. But I think scoring 170 in his last test match shows how well he's handled the extra scrutiny. It comes with the territory when you are an international player.' ___ AP cricket:
Qatar Tribune
2 days ago
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
England pick Pope over Bethell for first India Test
Agencies England have retained Ollie Pope at number three for the first Test against India at Headingley on Friday, meaning Jacob Bethell misses out, reports Vice-captain Pope would have been the most vulnerable member of the top order had England wanted to include 21-year-old Bethell. Bethell has never made a professional century, but looks set for a big future in international cricket. He impressed with three half-centuries in three Tests against New Zealand last year and again in making 82 in the first one-day international against West Indies last month. England have resisted change in sticking with Pope, who made 171 in the defeat of Zimbabwe - a Test Bethell missed because he was playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League. Before that Test, captain Ben Stokes appeared to hint Bethell would make an immediate return to the England XI, only to later clarify he was referring to the squad and claimed his words were 'twisted to suit an agenda'. And Stokes has kept faith with Pope at the beginning of a defining period for his captaincy. The five Tests against India are followed by an Ashes tour of Australia. In return, Pope will need to improve on his record against Australia and India. In a combined 18 Tests against the two, he averages 22.05, compared to his career mark of 35.49. Elsewhere, the England XI is as expected, with pace bowlers Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse returning in place of Sam Cook and Gus Atkinson as the two changes from the Zimbabwe Test. England Playing XI: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith, Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir.
The Advertiser
2 days ago
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Pope holds England No.3 spot for first India Test
England have kept faith with vice-captain Ollie Pope for the first Test against India, meaning rising star Jacob Bethell must wait for his chance. The pair were going head to head for the No.3 spot at Headingley, Bethell having made a striking impression while deputising during the New Zealand tour in December before Pope reasserted himself with a knock of 171 against Zimbabwe last month. Bethell missed that match, opting instead to play for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League, but he offered plenty of reminders about his talent during the recent white-ball series against the West Indies. The 21-year-old will now need to wait for form or fitness to open up a vacancy in the side, while Pope will know there is a viable rival for his shirt waiting in the wings should he struggle for runs in Leeds. England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir. England have kept faith with vice-captain Ollie Pope for the first Test against India, meaning rising star Jacob Bethell must wait for his chance. The pair were going head to head for the No.3 spot at Headingley, Bethell having made a striking impression while deputising during the New Zealand tour in December before Pope reasserted himself with a knock of 171 against Zimbabwe last month. Bethell missed that match, opting instead to play for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League, but he offered plenty of reminders about his talent during the recent white-ball series against the West Indies. The 21-year-old will now need to wait for form or fitness to open up a vacancy in the side, while Pope will know there is a viable rival for his shirt waiting in the wings should he struggle for runs in Leeds. England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir. England have kept faith with vice-captain Ollie Pope for the first Test against India, meaning rising star Jacob Bethell must wait for his chance. The pair were going head to head for the No.3 spot at Headingley, Bethell having made a striking impression while deputising during the New Zealand tour in December before Pope reasserted himself with a knock of 171 against Zimbabwe last month. Bethell missed that match, opting instead to play for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League, but he offered plenty of reminders about his talent during the recent white-ball series against the West Indies. The 21-year-old will now need to wait for form or fitness to open up a vacancy in the side, while Pope will know there is a viable rival for his shirt waiting in the wings should he struggle for runs in Leeds. England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Chris Woakes, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir.
