Ollie Pope is a doubt for the third Test and will be scanned. England’s vice-captain Ollie Pope injured his shoulder on Day 2 of the ongoing Lord’s Test and worsened it on Day 3.
England used their ultra-aggressive ‘Bazball’ style in the opening Test at Edgbaston in their attempt to recapture the Ashes. Australia, on the other hand, won by two wickets. The hosts have been working hard to win the second Test at Lord’s and will be hoping to win the series following their first setback, but confronting Australia hasn’t been easy.
To make matters worse for Ben Stokes’ men, one of their star batsmen. Ollie Pope, damaged his right shoulder while fielding on Day 2 at the ‘Home of Cricket’. On Day 3, the injury became even worse. Pope, who also serves as England’s vice-captain, batted in both innings. He score 42 off 63 balls in the first innings before being remove by Mitchell Starc’s unplayable delivery in the second.
The second Test concludes on July 2, and the third Test starts on July 6. Pope’s participation in the forthcoming Test is in doubt due to the short turnaround. According to The Guardian, the right-handed hitter will have scans on Monday. Once the findings are receive, Pope’s status will be evaluate further, and a decision on his participation in the Leed’s Test may be made.
The second Test ends on July 2 while the third Test begins on July 6. With the short turnaround, Pope’s participation in the upcoming Test remains in doubt. The right-handed batter will have his scans done on Monday, as per a report from The Guardian. Once the reports arrive, Pope’s condition will be further assess and a call on his participation in the Leed’s Test could be taken.
If Pope is unable to recover in time for the third Test. England may include Dan Lawrence, who is already in the team, in the starting XI. The 25-year-old has played 11 Tests for England, scoring 551 runs with a strike rate of 29. His figures for Essex this season have been impressive, as he score runs at a County Championship average of 44.60.
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Ben Stokes fighting a lone battle as Australia smell victory at Lunch on Day 5
On Day 5, Ben Duckett and Ben Stokes resumed England’s batting at 114/4, still needing 257 runs for an amazing victory. The two left-handers combined for 63 runs before Duckett was struck out by Josh Hazlewood. Jonny Bairstow was the next batsman out, run out by Alex Carey as he depart his crease after dodging a Cameron Green bouncer.
Stuart Broad joined his captain at the crease and went on a boundary-hitting rampage. Stokes completed his century by smashing a six off Green. England were 243/6 at lunch on Day 5, with Stokes on 108* and Broad on 1*.
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