England national cricket team assistant coach Marcus Trescothick has all but confirmed that star batsman Ollie Pope will be at number three for the visiting team in the 2025-26 Ashes.
Marcus Trescothick’s new remarks confirm that hugely talented all-rounder Jacob Bethell, seen as the next big thing in English cricket, could warm up the bench in the showpiece series.
I guess it’s the same sort of number three we’ve had for a while – Marcus Trescothick on Ollie Pope
England have placed great faith in Ollie Pope and made him vice-captain of the Test team. Pope was somewhat deserving of the vice-captaincy position as he had put up some insane performances with the bat.
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However, over the years a pattern developed that Ollie Pope started the series with a bang but struggled as it progressed.
This led to calls for his removal from the managerial position as well as the team, and the England team management took a major step at the time of the Ashes squad announcement by sacking Ollie Pope as vice-captain and appointing Harry Brook as his replacement.
This has led to speculation that he will be left out of the squad for Jacob Bethell, but that seems unlikely as Marcus Trescothick has hinted that Ollie Pope will remain England’s Ashes number three. The England assistant coach told BBC Sport:
“I guess we have the same sort of number three that we’ve had for a while. I can only say that we’re a very consistent team in what we’re trying to do.”
I guess everyone has the opportunity to claim their rights – Marcus Trescothick
Marcus Trescothick further stated that all players in the team will fight for a place in the team but they will try to remain consistent in selection. He said:
“I guess everyone has the opportunity to assert their rights. As I mentioned, our consistency in our team selection has been very balanced.
“Except for the odd injury, we haven’t really cut and changed much. It’s certainly not going to change drastically before the start of an Ashes series because someone puts their hand up taking five wickets or gets 150.
“The team has been what it has been for a while for a reason, so when you come into a big series you are more stable and more confident.”
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Marcus Trescothick provides update on Ben Stokes and Mark Wood
The England coach further revealed that Ben Stokes is likely to play as a real all-rounder in the Ashes, and Mark Wood will play a huge role in the team after his recovery.
“As long as he’s happy and feeling good, he’ll come into the Test matches playing a full role,” Trescothick said of captain Ben Stokes.
“He (Mark Wood) is fine. It’s obvious he’s strapping his body in and taking good care of his knee at the moment.
“If he shows up and plays at the level he needs to and the medical side is happy with where he is – I’m pretty sure that’s the case – then he’ll be in contention like everyone else.”
