England have revealed their playing XI for the opening Test against India at Headingley, beginning June 20. A major talking point is that Ollie Pope retains his No.3 spot in the batting order despite competition from young star Jacob Bethell. Additionally, pacer Brydon Carse is all set to make his home Test debut after a strong comeback from injury.
England XI vs India: Ollie Pope Retains No.3 Spot in Headingley Clash
In a crucial decision ahead of the first Test against India, Ollie Pope retains his place at No.3 in England’s batting lineup. The selectors have shown full trust in their vice-captain, who recently returned to form with a brilliant 171 against Zimbabwe. Pope had earlier struggled in 2023 and was briefly moved down to No.6 during the New Zealand tour. However, the absence of Jacob Bethell due to IPL commitments and Pope’s standout knock have ensured he continues in his preferred spot.
This is a significant moment in Pope’s red-ball journey. Despite heavy competition, Ollie Pope retains the confidence of England’s management and will aim to anchor the top order alongside Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett.
Meanwhile, Brydon Carse is set to feature in his first Test on English soil. Carse made his Test debut in Pakistan and has since taken 27 wickets in five overseas matches. After recovering from toe surgery and performing well in the limited-overs series against West Indies, Carse now gets an opportunity to shine at home.
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England’s XI features a balanced mix of youth and experience. Star batters like Joe Root, Harry Brook, and captain Ben Stokes are part of the setup. Jamie Smith will handle wicketkeeping duties, while the bowling unit will include Chris Woakes, Carse, Josh Tongue, and Shoaib Bashir.
England XI for 1st Test vs India (June 20, Headingley):
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Ollie Pope
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Ben Stokes (c)
- Jamie Smith (wk)
- Chris Woakes
- Brydon Carse
- Josh Tongue
- Shoaib Bashir
FAQ
Q1. Who retained the No.3 batting position in England’s XI?
A1. Ollie Pope retains the No.3 spot in the England XI for the 1st Test.
Q2. Who is making his first home Test appearance for England?
A2. Brydon Carse is making his home Test debut after five overseas matches.
Q3. Why is Jacob Bethell not in the squad?
A3. Bethell is unavailable due to his IPL commitments.
Q4. When does the England vs India 1st Test begin?
A4. The match starts on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds.
Q5. Who is England’s wicketkeeper for the match?
A5. Jamie Smith has been named the wicketkeeper for the first Test.
