Ashes 2023: England vice-captain Ollie Pope ruled out of ongoing series due to shoulder dislocation

Ollie Pope. (Photo Source: IAN KINGTON/AFP via Getty Images)

England suffered a major bow on Tuesday, July 4 as their vice-captain Ollie Pope got ruled out of the remainder of the Ashes 2023. Notably, the star batter of the England side, Pope, dislocated his shoulder during the second Test at Lord’s but continued to play despite the pain.

His participation in the third Test was in doubt but the England team management still named him in the squad. However, as things stand, the 25-year-old will be out for several weeks.

Notably, the cricketer will undergo surgery in the coming days after scan reports confirmed the dislocation of his shoulder. England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) in the meantime has confirmed the development and stated that the team will not be calling up his replacement for the third Test at Headingley.

“England and Surrey batter Ollie Pope has been ruled out of the rest of the LV= Insurance Men’s Ashes Series after dislocating his right shoulder during the second Ashes Test at Lord’s last week. Scans in London on Monday revealed the full extent of the injury and he will miss the rest of the summer campaign and will require surgery.

He will work closely with the England and Surrey medical teams in respect of his rehabilitation. England will not call up a replacement for the third Ashes Test, which starts at Headingley on Thursday,” the official statement read.

Meanwhile, Dan Lawrence is expected to play at number three in the upcoming match. However, the 25-year-old hasn’t played Test cricket since England’s last tour of the West Indies and thus, it remains to be a matter of concern for the hosts.

However, when it comes to Lawrence’s batting form, the Essex cricketer has hit three half-centuries in the last four T20 blast matches. Even though Test cricket is a different ball game altogether, the cricketer will be confident to do well against England’s arch-rivals.

On the other hand, the Ben Stokes-led side is also expected to make another change to its line-up as Mark Wood is likely to come in place of either James Anderson or Stuart Broad.