LONDON: England’s top-order batter Ollie Pope has been ruled out of the remainder of the ongoing Men’s Ashes series with a dislocated right shoulder, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Tuesday.
“Scans in London on Monday revealed the full extent of the injury and he will miss the rest of the summer campaign and will require surgery,” said ECB in a press release.
“He will work closely with the England and Surrey medical teams in respect of his rehabilitation.”
Despite Ollie Pope’s exclusion, the ECB opted not to call up a replacement for the third Ashes Test, which starts at Headingley on Thursday.
Meanwhile, middle-order batter Dan Lawrence, who is a part of England’s squad for the third Test, is all set to slot in at No.3 in Ollie Pope’s place.
“England will not call up a replacement for the third Ashes Test, which starts at Headingley on Thursday.”
Notably, Pope left the field twice due to injury after diving to stop the ball on both occasions. He, however, batted at his usual No.3 spot in both innings.
It is worth mentioning here that Ollie Pope, who averages 34.45 from 38 Tests, has previously dealt with shoulder issues, spending significant periods recuperating after dislocating his left shoulder twice.
He has scored 90 runs in two matches in the ongoing Ashes series, having started England’s Test summer with a maiden double-century against Ireland at Lord’s.
Ollie Pope’s exclusion marked a fresh blow to England’s Ashes campaign, who are 0-2 down in the five-match series.
Ben Stokes-led England are eyeing a miraculous comeback in the Ashes remainder and will have to imitate an 86-year-old record of Don Bradman’s Australian side to shrug off the 2-0 deficit to win an Ashes series.
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