English cricket team skipper Joe Root on Tuesday (7 August) confirmed that rookie batsman Ollie Pope will make his Test debut in the second Test match between India and England at the Lord’s starting on Thursday (9th August).
Speaking to media at the pre-match press conference, Root announced that Surrey batsman Pope would receive his first cap batting at No. 4, replacing Dawid Malan from the side.
“Ollie Pope will come in and bat at four,” said Root, adding, “He’s obviously batted at six for Surrey this season — but having seen him play a little bit, and the way his game is set up, I think it’s very much transferable to bat at number four in Test cricket.
🚨BREAKING NEWS 🚨@root66 has confirmed that @OPope32 will play in the second Test!
Full team news: https://t.co/k7Sj1VxGhm#ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/wRqEKWzY2z
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 8, 2018
“I know that might be seen as quite a big jump. But he’s obviously an exciting talent and, with the guys around him, I think he fits nicely into that position in our team.”
Waking up on the first day of the Lord’s Test like… #ENGvIND pic.twitter.com/Akwvo4pYkE
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) August 9, 2018
England 12-man squad: Joe Root (capt), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow (w), Stuart Broad, Jos Buttler, Alastair Cook, Sam Curran, Keaton Jennings, Ollie Pope, Adil Rashid, Chris Woakes.
England have taken the lead of 1-0 in five-match series, after winning the first game by 31 runs at Edgbaston last week.