Should England back Ollie Pope for Ashes 2025-26? Decoding stats

By Rajdeep Saha | Oct 15, 2025 08:42 pm

**Former England captain Alastair Cook has urged the national team management to stick with Ollie Pope at No. 3 for the upcoming Ashes series.**

Cook’s suggestion comes amid speculation over Jacob Bethell’s potential inclusion in the squad. The decision is particularly crucial as England’s first-choice top seven has remained unchanged for over a year now.

“I would bat Ollie Pope at No. 3,” Cook said recently at the launch of TNT Sports’ Ashes coverage.

### Performance Review: Mixed Bag of Performances

Pope has had a mixed run lately. He scored centuries against Zimbabwe and India at the start of the 2025 summer but managed only one half-century in his next eight innings.

Meanwhile, Jacob Bethell made an impressive debut last year, scoring half-centuries in each of his first three Tests. However, he struggled in his only Test appearance this summer, scoring just 6 and 5 runs.

### Endorsement: Cook Backs Pope for England

Cook stressed Pope’s experience and contribution to the team over the last few years, highlighting his leadership and consistent performances.

“I think it’s quite an easy decision on this, actually. You’ve got someone who’s been part of this build-up for three or four years, he’s captained the side, he’s played some extraordinary innings for England and he’s a hundred-maker,” the former England skipper said.

### Disrupting England’s Top 7 Would Be a Mistake, Says Cook

He also emphasized that dropping Pope now would disrupt England’s settled top seven lineup.

“If you get rid of him now, I think that changes the whole dynamic of what they’ve built up over the last year, how settled they’ll feel for that top seven. If it doesn’t work out, do you then move back to somebody you just got rid of, confidence-wise? I think it’s easy to go the other way, and I think that would be the sensible thing,” Cook added.

### Breaking Down Pope’s Test Stats

– In 61 Test matches, Pope has scored 3,607 runs at an average of 35.36 from 107 innings.
– He has registered 9 centuries and 16 fifties.
– In 33 home Tests, Pope has amassed 2,094 runs at an average of 39.50, including 6 centuries and 9 fifties.
– In 28 away Tests, he has scored 1,513 runs at 30.87, with 3 centuries and 7 fifties.

### How Has He Fared at No. 3 in Tests?

Pope has featured in 33 Tests batting at No. 3. From 57 innings in this position, he has scored 2,330 runs at an average of 41.60, including 8 centuries and 8 fifties.

### How Has Pope Fared Against Australia?

In 5 Tests against Australia, Pope has scored 157 runs from 10 innings at an average of 15.70. He is yet to register a fifty-plus score against the Aussies, with his best knock being 42.

—

With the Ashes approaching, England’s management faces a key decision regarding their middle order. Cook’s endorsement of Pope reflects a belief in experience and continuity as England look to build on their recent successes.
https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/pope-gets-cook-backing-for-number-3-role-in-ashes/story

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