Trescothick Hints Pope Will Keep Number Three Spot

Published: 12 November 2025 | The English Chronicle Desk | The English Chronicle Online

England assistant coach Marcus Trescothick has suggested that Ollie Pope is likely to remain the team’s first-choice number three for the upcoming Ashes series, stressing that the tourists are “very consistent” in their selection.

Ahead of the Ashes warm-up match against England Lions in Perth from Thursday, England are expected to field a side close to the XI that will line up for the first Test on 21 November. Pope has been under pressure from 22-year-old Jacob Bethell, but Trescothick indicated there will be no last-minute changes to the batting order.

“I’m presuming the same sort of number three we’ve had for a period of time,” Trescothick told BBC Sport. “We are a very consistent team in what we’re trying to do.”

Pope, who averages 41.60 at number three, has occasionally struggled to maintain form across series. In the home summer against India, he scored a century in his first innings but passed fifty only once in the next eight innings. Despite losing his vice-captaincy to Harry Brook, Pope remains described by England’s director of cricket Rob Key as the “man in possession” of the number-three slot.

Jacob Bethell, who recently scored his first professional century in a one-day international against South Africa, is expected to play in the warm-up game but has so far failed to secure the Ashes spot. Bethell’s highest score on the New Zealand white-ball tour was 24 in five innings.

Trescothick emphasized that performances in the warm-up would unlikely affect selection for the first Test. “Everyone has an opportunity to stake their claim,” he said. “But the team has been what it has been for a period of time for a reason, so when you come to big series you are more settled and confident going into it.”

Captain Ben Stokes is set to play in the warm-up match after recovering from a shoulder injury. Stokes, vital as an all-rounder, has not played since July and is expected to participate fully in the first Test. Fast bowler Mark Wood may also feature after knee surgery, with Trescothick confirming that if the medical team is satisfied, he will be considered for selection.

England’s approach of playing only one warm-up game before the first Test has drawn some criticism. Legendary all-rounder Lord Botham noted that acclimatization is important when touring Australia. However, Trescothick defended the method, highlighting that it has worked for England on overseas tours in recent years and mirrors approaches used against other major teams.

“This isn’t different from how we prepare for tours to New Zealand, Pakistan, or India,” he said. “The intensity of five Test matches is such that playing multiple warm-up matches would be very tricky. We are happy with our approach.”

As the Ashes approach, England aim to strike a balance between maintaining consistent selection and providing opportunities for emerging talent, with the coaching staff confident that Pope will continue to anchor the batting lineup at number three.