Follow UsNo surprises in England’s 12-member squad for the Perth Test, as 27-year-old Ollie Pope has retained his place in the squad as announced on November 19 (Wednesday). While the 27-year-old was stripped of his vice-captaincy, it hasn’t really affected his form as Pope smashed 100 and 90 in England’s warm-up clash against the Lions.
Pope averaged 34.00 in England’s last Test assignment against India, where he only scored 306 runs, with one century across nine innings. If not Pope, that spot would have gone to the new-age Jacob Bethell, who has been earmarked as the next big thing in English cricket.
But Bethell didn’t do his chances any good, failing across both innings during the warm-up clash, which all but ruled him out of the Perth Test. Shoaib Bashir, who injured himself during the India Test series, retains his place in the 12-member squad ahead of the all-rounder, Will Jacks.
Mark Wood’s injury isn’t as serious as the X-Factor pacer is all set to start in England’s XI for the Perth Test.
England’s Test squad for Perth Test
Ben Stokes (c), Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Mark Wood