Rob Key, England’s managing director of the men’s cricket team, claimed that England’s selection choice between Jacob Bethell and Ollie Pope will not explain the career of any of the players, for the upcoming Test against India in Leeds on Friday. England’s selection panel are set to choose any one player for the test squad.
England is facing a tough decision of selection between Bethell and Pope. Both are likely to be selected for England’s No. 3 spot. Key further framed the situation as “which really good player” they should choose. And he also said, “It’s a good position to be in.”
The selection of both players depends on their capabilities and potential to suit for the required place. Both of them have played on the same spot No. 3 in the past, while playing in different test matches.
During England’s most recent Test match against Zimbabwe, Pope batted at No. 3 and made 171 runs and made his position more strong, at an average of 43.06. Whereas, during their tour to New Zealand in December, Bethell made three half-centuries while playing at the same position, while keeping the wicket and batted down the order.
During the Telegraph’s cricket podcast, Key said that, “I don’t see it as a problem, really,”. “You win either way, really. You’ve got two brilliant players that can do that role. Ollie Pope’s been fantastic in that tough spot; he played brilliantly in New Zealand… alright, he was in a different role, but we’ve got two brilliant options in those spots.”
“A tough decision is when you’ve got no options, and you’ve got to just then try and find something from nowhere. That’s when I’m sort of scratching my head. This one is: ‘Which really good player are we going to pick?’ It’s a good position to be in.” He further added.
While playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL, Bethell missed England’s victory against Zimbabwe. Michael Atherton asked him to stay in India other than re-joining the team for that test match, but Key also said that there are no regrets.
“I don’t think [that] the careers of Ollie Pope and Jacob Bethell are defined by what happens this week, or whether he came back to play the Zimbabwe Test. He may not have played that Test match,” Key said. “Watching his development has been extraordinary, and him going out there and playing in the IPL, I think was brilliant for him. We’ll get the return on that in the future.”
Key also shared about the injury of Mark Wood, because of that he is not being part of the team, but he can also avail the opportunity if he gets fit for the end of five-match series.
“He potentially could be ready for the back end,” he said. “You may see him by the end of the series, but certainly then when you fast-forward to the Ashes, he should be fine for that.” Key further added.
