Key Facts
- Ollie Pope has been confirmed as No. 3 for England in the first Test against India at Headingley, despite competition from younger players like Jacob Bethell.
- Ollie Pope recently scored his eighth Test hundred against Zimbabwe, including a significant innings of 171 runs, solidifying his position.
- England's announced Test XI for the first Test includes Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett as openers and Ollie Pope at No. 3, with Jacob Bethell excluded.
- Chris Woakes returns to the England squad after recovering from an ankle injury, and Brydon Carse is set to play his first home Test after overcoming a foot problem.
- Rishabh Pant expressed India's intent to uplift spirits following a tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad ahead of the Test series, hoping to 'make India happy again'.
Pant is also hoping that the start of the series can 'make India happy again' after the tragic plane crash in Ahmedabad last week.
Bbc
Ollie Pope notched up his eighth Test hundred against Zimbabwe recently. It will be , rather than , who bats at No. 3 for against in Friday's first Test at Headingley. Pope, England's vice-captain, left his position vulnerable after a poor run of form last year.
ESPNcricinfo
Key Stats at a Glance
Ollie Pope's batting position
No. 3
England Test XI batting order
1 Zak Crawley, 2 Ben Duckett, 3 Ollie Pope