England’s preparations for the Ashes are nearing their final stages, with assistant coach Marcus Trescothick strongly hinting that Ollie Pope will remain in the pivotal No. 3 position for the upcoming series against Australia. Despite concerns about the team’s preparation, Trescothick reassured that the focus for the squad remains on maintaining continuity and building a solid foundation ahead of the first Test at Optus Stadium next Friday.
Pope, who has batted at No. 3 in 32 of England’s last 35 innings since the start of 2024, seems to have seen off the challenge from young Jacob Bethell for the role. Trescothick expressed confidence in the consistency of the team selection, emphasizing that England would stick with the same core lineup for the Ashes. He noted that the team’s management, led by head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes, has long advocated for a consistent selection policy, even in the face of external calls for change.
England’s single warm-up match against the Lions is expected to serve as a crucial tune-up, with Trescothick keen to make it as competitive as possible. While some squad members will play for the Lions against their own teammates, the focus will be on ensuring that the full-strength England squad is mentally and physically prepared for the upcoming series. The session on Tuesday was described as intense, with every player taking part, including Ben Stokes, who participated in multiple sessions against both seam and spin bowling.
While the debate surrounding England’s preparation continues to swirl, one player whose place in the lineup is secure is Joe Root. The former captain enters the Ashes as the world’s top-ranked Test batter, having scored centuries in three of his last five innings during the summer series against India. However, Root’s record in Australia has been a point of concern, with an average of just 35.68 in the country. Trescothick, though, remains confident in Root’s abilities, praising his growth in recent years under the guidance of McCullum and Stokes.
With just days left before the first Test, England is aiming for a final dose of mental readiness, ensuring their players are in peak condition to face a tough challenge from Australia.
