Not Jacob Bethell! Ollie Pope announced as England’s No.3 for Ashes

England National Cricket Team assistant coach Marcus Trescothick all but confirmed that the star batsman Ollie Pope will be batting at No.3 for the visiting team in the Ashes 2025-26.

Marcus Trescothick's fresh remarks confirm that the supremely talented all-rounder Jacob Bethell, who is regarded as the next big thing in English cricket, might warm the bench in the marquee series.

I'm presuming the same sort of number three we've had for a period of time - Marcus Trescothick on Ollie Pope

England put a lot of faith in Ollie Pope and made him the vice-captain of the Test team. Pope somewhat deserved the vice-captaincy as he had delivered some insane performances with the bat.

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However, over the years, a pattern developed where Ollie Pope started the series on a high but struggled as it progressed.

It led to calls for his removal from the leadership position as well as the team, and the English team management took a major step at the time of squad announcement for the Ashes as they sacked Ollie Pope as vice-captain and named Harry Brook as his replacement.

This led to speculations of him being dropped from the team for Jacob Bethell, but that seems unlikely, as Marcus Trescothick has hinted Ollie Pope will remain as England's number three for the Ashes. England assistant coach told BBC Sport:

"I'm presuming the same sort of number three we've had for a period of time. I can only say we are a very consistent team in what we're trying to do."

I guess everyone has an opportunity to stake their claim - Marcus Trescothick

Marcus Trescothick further said that all the players part of the squad will fight for a place in the side, but they will try to remain consistent in selection. He said:

"I guess everyone has an opportunity to stake their claim. As I mentioned, how consistent we've been with our team selection it's been very level.

"Bar the odd injury we've not really chopped and changed a great deal. It's definitely not going to change dramatically before the start of an Ashes series because someone puts their hand up by taking five wickets or gets 150.

"The team has been what it has been for a period of time for a reason, so that when you come to big series you are more settled and confident going into it."

Also Read: Wanindu Hasaranga mocks Babar Azam after bamboozling him in Rawalpindi as batter equals Virat Kohli

Marcus Trescothick gives an update on Ben Stokes, Mark Wood

The England coach further revealed that Ben Stokes is likely to play as a proper all-rounder in the Ashes, and Mark Wood will play a huge role in the side after his recovery.

"As long as he's happy and feeling good, he'll go into the Test matches playing a full role," said Trescothick of the captain Ben Stokes.

"He's (Mark Wood) doing fine. He's obviously strapping up his body and keeping the knee well looked after at the moment.

"If he's running in and bowling at the level he needs to and the medical side are happy where he is - I'm pretty sure that's the case - then he'll be in contention the same as everyone else."