England Vs India 2018: Michael Vaughan Speaks About Ben Stokes

The former skipper of England, Michael Vaughan feels that dropping Ollie Pope in the next game against India in Nottingham will be sheer injustice with the newcomer. He said that it would not be ideal to drop Pope following a single innings to make a place for star all-rounder Ben Stokes.

The Ashes-winning captain of 2005 assumes that the places of Jos Buttler or leg-spinner Adil Rashid are at risk to miss the squad at Trent Bridge.

“You could drop Adil Rashid. If the pitch is going to be the same as at Edgbaston and Lord’s and it’s going to swing around, do you need a spinner?,” he added.

Michael Vaughan on the selection of the third Test:

Following his trail for affray in Bristol, the England all-rounder Stokes missed the second Test at Lord’s. It would be a tight spot for English head coach, Trevor Bayliss and England skipper, Joe Root.

The 20-year-old Pope who made his debut in the previous match at Lord’s is likely to miss the next game. It is assumed that Buttler will move to number four slot to pave the way for Stokes. However, Vaughan is of the different opinion.

‘I don’t think it should be Pope [who makes way]. ‘You could look at Jos Buttler. In two Test matches against India, he’s not done a great dealm,” he remarked.

Buttler managed to score only 23 in the last three innings against India. However, after handing over the vice-captaincy, it seems unlikely that he will miss the third Test.

However, he felt surprised that Ben Stokes for England made himself available for the third Test against India soon after the trial was over.

“I can’t get my head around why he wouldn’t want to take a little bit of time off – even if England wanted him. He’s just gone through eight days in crown court,” Vaughan concluded.