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First Test between England and India
Venue: Headingley Dates: 20-24 June Time: 11: 00 BST
Jacob Bethell misses the first Test against India at Headingley on Friday because England have chosen Ollie Pope as their third-string man.
If England had wanted to include Bethell, age 21, in the list of members of the highest order, Vice-captain Pope would have been the most vulnerable.
Bethell has never scored a professional century, but she has a promising future in international cricket. He scored three half-centuries in three Test matches against New Zealand last year and recorded 82 in his first one-day international against West Indies last month.
Pope, who scored 171 against Zimbabwe, was a Test Bethell missed because he was a member of Bengaluru’s Royal Challengers in the Indian Premier League, who has resisted change.
Before that Test, captain Ben Stokes made an appearance to suggest Bethell would start playing for the England XI, only to later clarify that he was referring to the squad and that his words were “twisted to suit an agenda.”
And at the start of a pivotal period for his captaincy, Stokes has remained faithful to Pope. Following the five Tests against India, an Ashes tour of Australia is scheduled.
Pope will need to improve his performance against Australia and India in exchange. He averages 22.05 in his 18 combined Tests against the two, which is a 35.49 career mark.
Woakes, who has missed England’s previous two Tests, is recovering from an ankle injury, and Carse, who has a foot problem, will start his first game at home.
Despite frequently acting as a change bowler, Carse might be in line to share the new ball with Woakes. In the 94 first-class innings he has bowled, the Durham man has opened the bowling on 16 occasions, managing a combined 2-246 in those spells.
If that is what it is, Carse said to BBC Sport, “I’m relishing that opportunity.” During the one-day series against West Indies, I experienced comfort and confidence when I began bowling. I’m anticipating that opportunity, if it comes my way.”
The squad’s seamers are missing, and Atkinson is hampered by a hamstring injury, along with Cook and Jamie Overton.
Atkinson was on Wednesday during England’s training session at Headingley and is anticipated to return later in the series. Jofra Archer, a pace bowler making his long-awaited comeback to red-ball cricket, is another pace bowler making headway.
The 30-year-old hasn’t played first-class or Test cricket since 2021 due to a string of injuries.
Archer will now face Sussex in the County Championship in Durham, which will start on Sunday after overcoming a thumb issue.
If he succeeds, Archer could play in either the second Test at Lord’s or the third Test against India at Edgbaston.
After the departures of captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from their January tour of Australia, India will have a new-look top order.
In Wednesday’s news conference, Rishabh Pant stated that he would remain at five while Shubman Gill, who will replace him, will remain at four.
Carse, who is playing for the developing India team, said: “They have lost two of their most well-known, world-class batters, but we all know how good India has got.
related subjects
- England Men’s Cricket Team
- India
- Cricket
Source: BBC
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