The 25-year-old England player, Ollie Pope had hurt his shoulder when he landed unhandy during Australia’s first innings in the second Test last week of Ashes 2023.
Ollie Pope ruled out of Ashes
England Vice-captain Ollie Pope was ruled out in Tuesday’s match of the Ashes series after his shoulder gets dislocated during the second Test at Lord’s and is about to have surgery in the upcoming days.
His injury during the second innings on the third day after England was mistakenly told that it would not be permitted to use a substitute fielder in the second innings. Pope who had suffered twice shoulder dislocations in the past, shows us the full extent of the injury.
After surgery, he will be on rest for a few months and will be missing the final three Test against Australia, under rehabilitation guidance and Surrey medical teams.
Pope aggravated the injury on day three after the umpires insisted he take the field after batting in England’s first Innings. By scoring 42 runs he left the field.
It was a situation with Jeetan Patel, England’s spin coach, acknowledged that England would have to had to field with 10 players.
Jeetan Patel said, “It’s a pretty tough situation when you nearly bust your shoulder and you’re told it was an external [injury]. It was always going to happen. He’s so committed to this team. He was always going to fall on something. And now he’s back off.”
Joe Root about Pope’s injury
Joe Root said, “Ollie has been phenomenal over the past 18 months. He’s stepped up as vice-captain and the more responsibility that has been given to him we’ve got more out of him as a player. He’ll be a big miss for us. He’s a hell of a player and a great mind to have in the group – Ben gains a huge amount from having him as vice-captain. Of course, it will be a big loss. He’s been an integral part of this team and will continue to be for many more years to come.
“I feel like the last couple of years, I’ve got a very good understanding of my game. I’ve said many times before, it’s my turn now as a senior player to give back to everyone else that had to put up with me as captain for so long and doing it my way. I’m there to go and try to score runs in whatever position that is, and try to get us back into this series.”
Ollie Pope’s journey over his career
Ollie Pope being the vice-captain of the England team, despite his leadership not as much as Stuart Broad or Ben Stokes, he was quite a player with noticeable skills. Now after his injury, the place will remain unfulfilled.
His average is 22.50 on four innings against Australia, and his average had dropped from 45.25 since Stokes and Brendon McCullum took charge last summer. As England is with no victories in 2-0 against Australia, they must have to win three matches in a row to obtain victory in the Test Series.
Ollie Pope’s 11 caps came under the guidance of Joe Root’s tenure during the Caribbean tour in March 2022. The second test Series against West Indies at Bridgetown underlined his performance. As Root was not in the position to reveal how England will make up for Ollie Pope’s loss with Stokes expected to name for the Xl player on Wednesday to perform in the Ashes 2023.
England names Dan Lawrence as a replacement
Lawrence has been suggested for replacement. Stokes said, “He’s in good form as well,” Root said. “Got 150-odd for Essex in the last Championship match. He had a great touch there where he walked off the field and got in his car and came down to Lord’s, he didn’t have to field.
“He’s in a good mood, in good spirits and in good form as well, which is always nice when you’ve got guys on the periphery or next in line that are scoring runs and feeling good within their own game. That’s a nice position to be in.
“You’ve seen a glimpse of what he can do in Test cricket, he scored a brilliant 90-odd and got out last ball of the day when he looked nailed on for a hundred there, in Barbados. Dan Lawrence got a very exciting career ahead of him whenever that opportunity arises for him. He’s got that steeliness about him where he wants to succeed at that level. He’s got a great game to go with it, so it’s an exciting prospect.”
