England’s young middle-order batsman Ollie Pope has been sidelined from cricketing action with an injury until the start of three lions’ much-anticipated five-Test series versus India, beginning August 4.
The England and Wales Cricket Board provided an update on Pope’s injury, stating that the batsman sustained “a left thigh muscle injury” while playing for Surrey in their T20 Blast fixture on July 2 against Kent.
“The ECB and Surrey fitness teams will work together to deliver Pope’s rehabilitation with a focus for him to be available to return for the first Test against India,”
the board further informed.
If fit, Pope is a guaranteed starter for England against India despite enduring a genuine rut as a batsman since the last home summer. The batsman hasn’t made a fifty since his knock of 62 in Manchester against Pakistan in August 2020 but would retain his spot if he recovers from his thigh injury on time.
But if the rehabilitation process takes extra time, Pope might have to make way for someone like Dawid Malan, who has had calls in favour of his Test return on the back of some solid performances in the white-ball arena. The injury, if it persists longer, might also help someone like Zak Crawley retain his spot and give Dan Lawrence more breathing.
There have been suggestions for a rejig of the England batting unit since their disappointing performances against India (away) and at home against New Zealand in June. But it is likely that the selectors will wait for the India series and the Ashes later this year to unfold before making any major changes.
The Test series against India kicks off England’s difficult campaign in the second cycle of the World Test Championship spanning 2021-23. They’ll also take on New Zealand, South Africa at home and Australia, West Indies and Pakistan away during the second edition of the tournament.
