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Vice-captain gets the nod after 171 against Zimbabwe
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Rising star Bethell, 21, featured at No 3 in New Zealand
Ollie Pope has retained his England place and will face India in the first Test starting on Friday, the 171 he scored against Zimbabwe last month having proved enough to hold off the emerging challenge of Jacob Bethell.
Bethell’s success in Pope’s No 3 slot during the three-match series in New Zealand over the winter, when he scored a half-century in each Test and averaged 52, appeared to have made the position his to lose.
Written by Simon Burnton
This news first appeared on https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/jun/18/england-ollie-pope-three-jacob-bethell-first-india-test-cricket under the title “England opt for Ollie Pope at No 3 over Jacob Bethell for first India Test”. Bolchha Nepal is not responsible or affiliated towards the opinion expressed in this news article.
