Jofra Archer and Ben Stokes - (Source: AFP)
In a significant development, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has released the playing XI for the fourth Ashes Test against Australia. For the Boxing Day Test on December 26 at the MCG, the Three Lions have made two changes.
Jofra Archer has been ruled out of the entire series because of a left side strain and has been replaced by Gus Atkinson. Further, Ollie Pope too has been replaced by Jacob Bethell, who will bat at No.3 play his first match on the tour.
Why have England dropped Ollie Pope for the 4th Test?
Ollie Pope has been struggling for England in the Ashes as the right-handed batter failed to replicate Steve Smith or Labuschagne's heroics in the middle-order. Talking about his stats, then Pope has amassed just 125 runs in six innings,
Pope averages just 20.83 and had no fifty-plus score during the tournament. Further, with the inclusion of Jacob Bethell, it will give England another bowling option as the southpaw is quite handy with the ball.
Bethell last played against India in the fifth and final Test, where he failed to make it count and amassed just 11 runs in two innings.
England lose two speedster on Ashes tour
England started the Ashes with Mark Wood and Jofra Archer in the squad. However, Mark Wood was the first to miss out on the tour because of injury. Jofra Archer is the latest to depart as the Three Lions will heavily miss Archer.
The right-arm seamer has taken nine wickets in six innings ans has been effective for England in this Ashes.
England’s squad for 4th Ashes Test
1. Zak Crawley
2. Ben Duckett
3. Jacob Bethell
4. Joe Root
5. Harry Brook
6. Ben Stokes (Captain)
7. Jamie Smith (WK)
8. Will Jacks
9. Gus Atkinson
10. Brydon Carse
11. Josh Tongue
