England vice-captain Ollie Pope is unlikely to field on day two of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s after injuring his shoulder – but could step up to bat if fit
England vice-captain Ollie Pope is unlikely to return to fielding on Thursday regardless of the extent of the damage to his right shoulder.
Pope, 25, will receive ice treatment to the joint overnight and if he is fit to bat, he can do so in his customary position of No 3 as he has been victim of an external injury – one visibly sustained on the field.
England were left sweating on Pope’s fitness after a woeful start to a second Ashes Test they cannot afford to lose.
The Surrey batter hurt himself saving a boundary during an opening day dominated by Australia, immediately clutching the damaged area with a grimace on his face. Pope has a history of shoulder issues but the previous two instances have been dislocations of his left shoulder in both 2019 and 2020.
Earlier in the day, Pope spurned the chance of dismissing David Warner on 20 when he floored a straightforward chance to fourth slip created by Stuart Broad – Australia were 28 without loss at that stage and added another 45 runs before they lost their first wicket.
Ollie Pope will not return to the field on the second day of the second Test but could yet bat
The 25-year-old (right) damaged his shoulder saving a boundary on Wednesday afternoon
More Stories
Alex Carey hits teammate Todd Murphy with an icy snub at the fifth Ashes Test – leaving cricket fans stunned: ‘They must take it in turns to take his lunch money’
Steve Smith sends James Anderson a very cheeky message as Aussies form Ashes guard of honour for retiring England great Stuart Broad
Stuart Broad becomes the second player to hit his final ball in Test cricket for six as Usman Khawaja becomes leading run-scorer in the series