Stokes Comments on England’s Selection Ahead of Test Against India
England’s captain, Ben Stokes, expressed that it would be “remarkable” to exclude a player who recently scored 171 runs in a Test match, referring to the selection of Ollie Pope over Jacob Bethell for the first Test against India.
Pope has been confirmed to continue batting at No. 3 for the Leeds Test, which starts on Friday at 11 am (live on Sky Sports), following his impressive performance of 171 during England’s victory over Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge in May.
Bethell was unavailable for that match due to his IPL commitments with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Nonetheless, his strong start to his England career has prompted discussions regarding his immediate reinstatement.
The 21-year-old demonstrated confidence while scoring three fifties in his debut Test series in New Zealand and also excelled in the recent ODIs against West Indies, particularly with a notable 82 runs off 53 balls in the first One-Day International.
Considering the expected hot weather, Bethell’s left-arm spin could have been a valuable option. However, Pope has been given the opportunity, despite averaging only 24.6 against India, compared to his overall average of 35.49.
Stokes stated, “[The] big selection came from not us. It would be remarkable to choose someone else if their last knock was 170. That’s pretty much all I need to see on that.” Regarding Pope’s response to the increased spotlight on his position, he acknowledged it’s difficult to avoid the surrounding speculation due to the accessibility of information today.
Looking ahead, England’s five-Test series against India serves as preparation for their forthcoming Ashes tour, where they have not triumphed in nearly 15 years. Stokes, who recently returned from injury, is eager for the challenge, emphasizing the physical demands of the series.
