"Pope is in danger of becoming the polar opposite of Joe Root" - Ian Chappell calls England's No. 3 'potential weakness' for Ashes 2025-26
Former Australian captain Ian Chappell called England's stand-in Test skipper Ollie Pope a 'potential weakness' for the 2025-26 Ashes down under. Taking over as England's Test captain with the injury to Ben Stokes, Pope has led the side impressively, with five wins in as many games during the home season.
However, his batting form has been mixed with an excellent outing against the West Indies followed by a torrid first two Tests against Sri Lanka. The 26-year-old averaged a dismal 7.50 in four innings to start the Lankan series before a magnificent 154 in the first innings of the ongoing third Test silenced the critics.
Looking ahead to next year's Ashes in Australia, Chappell in his column for ESPNcricinfo wrote:
"Despite playing a meaningful innings against a moderate Sri Lankan attack, Ollie Pope needs more convincing knocks away from his home ground to prove he's a substantial No. 3 batter. Otherwise Pope is in danger of becoming the polar opposite of Joe Root - a capable captain with a feel for the job but an inconsistent batter."
"Batting in the middle order, Pope had a poor last tour of Australia and should be considered a potential weakness. It's not just his renowned skittishness that should interest the Australian pace bowlers, there are also some technical flaws that can be exploited," he added.
Pope has a poor record against Australia in Tests, averaging 15.70 with no half-centuries in five outings. The numbers take a bigger hit in Australia with England's No. 3 averaging 11.16 in three Tests.
"The crucial No. 3 spot becomes a revolving door" - Ian Chappell
Ian Chappell felt Australia troubling Ollie Pope during the 2025-26 Ashes could be terminal to England's chances should they omit him from the playing XI.
Despite playing as many as 49 Tests, the 26-year-old averages only a moderate 35.13 with seven centuries.
"If Australia do cause concerns for Pope, and England are forced to omit him, then the crucial No. 3 spot becomes a revolving door. Currently the English squad is limited in players who are qualified to do a sound job at No. 3. Without Pope, England would also be missing a suitable replacement captain if Ben Stokes suffers an injury. That would be a crucial double blow to England," Chappell wrote in his column.
After their stunning 3-1 series win in the 2010/11 Ashes, England have struggled massively in Australia.
They have lost 13 of the 15 Tests down under over their last three tours, with two drawn outings.