Ind vs Eng Test series: Ahead of the opening Test against India in Chennai, middle-order batsman Ollie Pope has been added to the Test squad after bring declared fit and available for selection. “Pope has fully recovered from a left shoulder injury sustained in August 2020 against Pakistan. The England medical team are satisfied that he is available for selection. The 23-year-old has practiced with the full squad over the past two days,” read an official statement.
The youngster was under rehab with England during their recent series win over Sri Lanka. The presence of Ollie pope in middle-order is a boost to England and a good playing XI headache with the likes of Moeen Ali and Dan Lawrence in the squad.
“Ollie Pope, who has recovered from a shoulder injury sustained in August 2020 against Pakistan, has been added to England’s Test squad for the India series,” ICC said in a tweet post.
JUST IN: Ollie Pope, who has recovered from a shoulder injury sustained in August 2020 against Pakistan, has been added to England’s Test squad for the India series.#INDvENG pic.twitter.com/1Tcr7TQacy
— ICC (@ICC) February 3, 2021
The Surrey batsman had sustained should injury in August 2020 against Pakistan. The youngster has practiced with the squad for the last two days in Chennai. The opening Test will be played at MA Chidambaram Stadium starting this Friday.
The first Test will be played behind closed doors while the next feature will have 50 per cent crowd at Chepauk Stadium. The remaining two Tests of the four-match Test series will be held at the Motera Stadium in Ahmedabad.
India will be paying in their home conditions after a long-gap of 14 months. They had last played against Bangladesh in November 2019. If India is able to win with a margin of 2-0, 2-1, 3-0, 3-1 or 4-0, then they will qualify for the final of ICC Test Championship at Lord’s against New Zealand. England, too, can enter the final they are able to replicate their recent success against Sri Lanka in India.