England dropping Pope would be ‘remarkable’ – Stokes

First Test between England and India

Venue: Headingley Dates: 20-24 June Time: 11: 00 BST

After the batter scored 171 against Zimbabwe last month, England’s captain, Ben Stokes, claims, would have been “remarkable” to switch Ollie Pope for Jacob Bethell.

Prior to the first Test against India on Friday at Headingley, England made the important selection decision between vice-captain Pope and 21-year-old Bethell.

Despite Bethell’s impressive performance in that position after making his New Zealand debut last year, England opted to keep Pope at number three.

According to Stokes, “the ‘big selection’idea’ did not originate from us.”

During Jamie Smith’s paternity leave, Bethell had a chance to play at number three when Pope took the wicketkeeper’s place and moved down the order.

Bethell missed the Test against Zimbabwe because he was participating in the Indian Premier League, but he did so with half-centuries in each of New Zealand’s three Tests.

Pope scored his seventh Test hundred in the role, returning to Stokes’ position as captain in 2022, and averages 43.06 at first drop despite also returning a number of low scores in the process.

“In today’s world, it’s very difficult to ignore all the speculation and stuff that’s happening because things are so readily accessible. Nowadays, you don’t even need to go and look for it, Stokes claimed.

The start of the eagerly awaited five-match series against India marks the start of a 10-test run that will determine Stokes’ captaincy reign as captain with an Ashes series in Australia set to debut in the winter.

However, Stokes was determined to disprove any notion that England would be interested in playing India against Australia.

He said, “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.”

With England winning four and losing four of their previous eight games, the series also comes at a fascinating time for Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum.

Although their aggressive approach has led to remarkable highs in their first year in charge of West Indies, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan, their series victories have also been weighed down by terrible defeats.

According to Stokes, the group has engaged in “honest discussions” about potential improvements.

According to Stokes, “I don’t believe that the defensive frame of mind is the best way to put it.”

“I believe it’s just being smarter in those situations where it’s obvious that the opposition is controlling us at that particular moment and that they have the upper hand.”

The former legendary players Sachin Tendulkar and James Anderson will be the recipients of the new Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. The Pataudi Trophy, which is named in honor of the Pataudi family, is no longer the trophy.

It’s a fantastic feeling, Endulkar remarked to the BBC. I was thrilled when I learned about the award.

“I can recall talking to the Pataudi family and talking to my family about this.

It’s all about Test cricket, which is the most difficult format, and I think it’s a reflection of what Jimmy and I have been able to do for our country in Test cricket, not just me.

It’s pretty surreal, Anderson said.

“You don’t start playing cricket until things like this happen,” says Sachin, “but when they do happen, it’s lovely when they do.”