Michael Atherton suspects Jacob Bethell will get the nod to start out at No 3 over Ollie Pope within the first Ashes Take a look at in Perth.
Atherton and fellow former England captain Nasser Hussain dissected the England squad named for the Ashes sequence in Australia, which begins at Optus Stadium on November 21, on the most recent version of the Sky Sports activities Cricket podcast.
Hussain stated England’s choice panel “had not blinked” in selecting a squad to go well with the model during which head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes wish to play, whereas Atherton stated the change of vice-captain from Pope to Harry Brook was noteworthy given the potential implications for the previous’s place within the facet.
“I thought that [the vice-captaincy change] was the most significant bit of news actually, given that the squad was kind of predictable with the exception of [Will] Jacks,” stated Atherton.
“I assumed really that was the bit of stories that me probably the most.
“One, as a result of it will not be the case that Stokes performs all 5 video games. He is 34 years of age. 5 Exams come rapidly. The final three come in a short time.
“In latest occasions, though he regarded in incredible bodily situation in opposition to India, bowled in addition to he had for possibly six or seven years, he nonetheless acquired injured on the finish of it and did not fairly see that by means of that five-Take a look at match sequence.
“So he may not play all five, in which case it’s going to be Brook, not Pope [as captain].
“However I felt there is a bit extra to it than that.”
Reflecting on the feedback made by England managing director Rob Key on Wednesday, Atherton added: “[Key] suggested there is no ulterior motive as far as the Pope decision is concerned in the sense that he’s the man in possession at No 3 and the fact that he’s no longer vice-captain doesn’t mean automatically he’s going to be demoted for Jacob Bethell.
“However I simply have an intuition, a sense within the waters, that they will play Bethell. That is only a guess actually, only a form of intuition you get. I feel that call is form of, is rolled into that.
“There’s a bit of cricket to play before we get to Perth, obviously for Bethell in the white ball stuff, not so much for Pope, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jacob Bethell walk out at Perth at No 3.
“During which case, I would return to the place we had been in Could and ask the query why he wasn’t introduced again and to get expertise into his legs all through the summer time.”
On the influence the choice could have on Pope, Hussain stated: “The key line yesterday from Key was ‘we think Harry Brook is a better leader’. That’s quite a strong statement to make.
“Ollie Pope is a lad I feel thrives on confidence.
“So that may have dented his confidence a bit.
“But when Stokes is injured now, Harry Brook captains. I wasn’t that fussed about the entire vice-captaincy factor.”
England’s Ollie Pope with Jacob Bethell (proper) throughout a nets session at Headingley in June
Tributes to Woakes with omission set to finish Take a look at profession
After not being thought-about for the Ashes squad on health grounds amid restoration from the dislocated shoulder he sustained in the course of the fifth dwelling summer time Take a look at in opposition to India, 36-year-old Chris Woakes’ Take a look at profession seems to be at an finish after 62 appearances that includes over 2,000 runs and nearly 200 wickets.
“Rob Key did say that Chris Woakes is no longer in their plans, effectively,” stated Atherton.
“It is a unhappy manner for that to finish given the harm that we noticed on the Oval and that unbelievably dramatic denouement to that sequence, however given his age, given the truth that he isn’t match sufficient for the Ashes, the top of the Ashes will begin nearly a brand new cycle and subsequently they will clearly look to maneuver on.
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Chris Woakes offers Sky Sports activities an perception into what it was prefer to bat in opposition to India after dislocating his shoulder.
“But it sounds like we probably won’t see Chris Woakes in Test cricket again, in which case he’s had a pretty good career.”
Hussain added: “You just hope that Rob had spoken to Chris Woakes. I’m sure he had done; to suddenly say he’s not part of our plans, that virtually means we’re looking in another direction.
“So he has been an incredible servant, a really, very effective cricketer for England, and it seems like England are shifting on from him.”
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On the Sky Sports activities Cricket Podcast Nasser and Athers pay tribute to the legendary cricket umpire Dickie Fowl who died aged 92.
Ashes sequence in Australia 2025-26🏏
All occasions UK and Eire
- First Take a look at: Friday November 21 – Tuesday November 25 (2.30am) – Optus Stadium, Perth
- Second Take a look at (day/evening): Thursday December 4 – Monday December 8 (4.30am) – The Gabba, Brisbane
- Third Take a look at: Wednesday December 17 – Sunday December 21 (12am) – Adelaide Oval
- Fourth Take a look at: Thursday December 25 – Monday December 29 (11.30pm) – Melbourne Cricket Floor
- Fifth Take a look at: Sunday January 4 – Thursday January 8 (11.30pm) – Sydney Cricket Floor
