Will Ollie Pope be backed by England in Tests? Stats
20 Dec 2025

Former England captain Nasser Hussain went on to question the team's decision to bat Ollie Pope at number three in the ongoing Ashes 2025-26 series.

The 25-year-old has struggled for form. Number three is a vital place in a side's Test XI and Pope has failed to deliver the goods.

His latest knock of 17 runs in England's second innings during the fourth day of the Adelaide Test has further fueled doubts about his place in the squad.

Hussain suggests replacing Pope with Bethell
Team strategy

Hussain has suggested that England should replace Pope with Jacob Bethell at number three for the rest of the series.

"I personally would now make the change away from Pope. Jacob Bethell, who's here and been in and around the England side for quite some time, I think he should probably come in at Melbourne," Hussain told Sky Sports.

'I can't see him batting at number three in Melbourne'
Words

Hussain also stated that he doesn't see Pope batting at number three in the upcoming MCG Test.

"I can't see him batting at number three in Melbourne (for the fourth Test). To be honest, his career and his series follow a very similar pattern. It starts well - he started the tour game well, he got runs (46)in the first innings of the first Test, and then slowly he just gets out the same way outside off stump," he said.

'Pope has looked vulnerable up front'
Fact

"You want your number three to settle your dressing room, that's what greats do, they calm the situation down. On this tour, when he's been batting, Pope has looked vulnerable up front," the former England skipper said.

Pope's stats in the ongoing Ashes series
Ongoing series

In the ongoing 2025-26 Ashes series, Pope has amassed a paltry score 125 at an average of 20.83 from three Tests (6 innings).

He has posted one duck with his best score being 46.

Pope started on a decent note in the 1st Ashes Test at the Perth Stadium, scoring 46 and 33.

In the Day-Night Test at The Gabba, Brisbane, Pope struggled. He managed 0 and 26.

In the 3rd Ashes Test, Pope posted scores worth 3 and 17.

How has he performed at number three for England?
Fact

As per ESPNcricinfo, Pope has scored 2,455 runs while batting at number three from 36 Tests (63 innings) at 39.59. He owns 8 tons and 8 fifties. Versus Australia, Pope owns 215 runs from 5 Tests (10 innings) at 21.50. He is yet to scored an Ashes fifty.

Pope's Test numbers (home and away); his WTC performance
Numbers

In 64 Tests, Pope has scored 3,732 runs at 34.55. He has 9 tons and 16 fifties.

As many as 1,638 of his runs have come in 31 away Tests (home of opposition) from 57 innings at 29.78.

He has three tons and 7 fifties.

The remaining of his Test runs have come at home - 2,094 at 39.50 from 33 matches (56 innings).

2,993 of Pope's Test runs have come in the ICC World Test Championship at 32.18.