Starring down the barrel of a first home series defeat since 2001, Brendon McCullum’s men have copped another blow with first-drop batsman Ollie Pope ruled out for the remainder of the series.
The 25-year-old dislocated his right-shoulder during Australia’s first-innings, but bravely continued to play a role throughout the Test.
After making 31 and 14 in the first Test, Pope followed it up with 42 and 3 at Lord’s.
Scans on Monday confirmed Pope would require surgery.
“Scans in London on Monday revealed the full extent of the injury and he will miss the rest of the summer campaign and will require surgery,” the ECB said in a statement.
“He will work closely with the England and Surrey medical teams in respect of his rehabilitation.”
Ollie Pope injured his shoulder during Australia’s first-innings at Lord’s. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
It’s the third time Pope, who averages 34.45 from 38 Tests with four centuries, has dislocated his shoulders.
He hasn’t been replaced in the squad, paving the way for Dan Lawrence to make his comeback after being unsighted since England’s ugly tour of the West Indies in early 2022 saw a changing of the guard.
Lawrence has averaged 44.6 this season for Essex, considerably higher than his output of 551 runs from 11 Tests at 29.
“Dan’s in good form as well, he got 150 for Essex in the last championship game,” former England captain Joe Root said.
“He’s in a good mood, in good spirits, which is always good when you’ve got guys on the periphery and are next in line scoring runs and feeling good within their own game.
“You’ve seen a glimpse of what he can do in Test cricket, he scored a brilliant 91, he looked nailed on for a hundred in Barbados.
“He’s got that steeliness about him that he wants to succeed at this level.”
Mitchell Starc celebrates after bowling Ollie Pope. (Photo by Mike Egerton/PA Images via Getty Images)
Root could shift up the order to first-drop as a result of Pope’s injury.
“It’s not my call anymore, thankfully,” Root said.
“It’s a big blow, Ollie’s been phenomenal for us the last 18 months. He’s stepped up as vice-captain of this team.
“The more responsibility we’ve given him, the more we’ve gotten out of him as a player and as a leader within the group. He’ll be a big miss for us.”
England head to Leeds with not only the Ashes on the line but their stranglehold over Australia in England.
Indeed, not since Steve Waugh’s Australian side smashed England 4-1 in 2001 have the visitors claimed the Ashes on foreign shores.
The best result since that tour more than two decades ago was their 2-2 draw in 2019, as Tim Paine’s men became the first Australian side to defend the Ashes since 2001 with the result.
Australia of course have their own injury issues, with off-break bowler Todd Murphy in line to replace Nathan Lyon following his series-ending calf injury.
Given the quick turnaround between Tests, it’s possible Pat Cummins’ side could tweak their fast-bowling trio with Scott Boland in the frame to return for Josh Hazlewood after back-to-back Tests.
Nick
Roar Rookie
That's not unsporting. That's clever. A keeper needs to know where his opponents are
Stuckbetweenindopak
Roar Rookie
When keeper is about to kick it on goal kick
Stuckbetweenindopak
Roar Rookie
Finding people relaxed, casual, not in their places right after a last ball of an over takes place is very common. I am a bit uncomfortable catching a batsman off guard at the completion of an over. I am really for Carey who at least deserves a wicket for that smart execution & timing but it being a last ball made it much more of a case where Australia could have withdrawn the appeal than if it was happening during an over in progression
AndyS
Roar Rookie
That's no fun, props to him for batting on.
Vince
Roar Rookie
The only events(there are a few) that cost England the match (and the first test for that matter) were stupid batting like it was a T20 in a Test match, inept bowling and fielding for the most part, doctored pitches (to suit Bazball - funny that they also suited test match batters who were happy to bat all day a la Smith and Uzzy), and a completely inept wicketkeeper! Yes it wasn’t Bairstow’s stumping that cost the match, more like the number of chances he missed! No international team can afford a keeper as bad as he has been!
Epiphanous Pom
Roar Rookie
Except he didn't keep holding the ball waiting for the batsman t leave the crease, did he? Watch the replay. Carey disposed of the ball 0.87 seconds after gloving it (about as fast as it's possible to do) and Bairstow was still in his crease when Carey threw it! It's no different from an outfielder throwing at the stumps, and the batsman not bothering to look whether the ball is going to hit the stumps. Bairstow committed the schoolboy howler of not looking to see what was happening with the ball before he sauntered off down the pitch, and he paid the price. Absolutely nothing untoward about it, apart from Bairstow's stupidity.
JGK
Roar Guru
I wouldn't mind seeing Neser.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I'm glad you got the irony, thanks be to MP.
Pom in exile
Roar Rookie
What did the Roman’s ever do for us? :silly: Sorry to hear about the family health issues.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Apart from cricket, comedy, music and history l don't have much interest in living there. I can be jingoistic but not ignorant. I actually would love to travel but family health issues put a stop to that. I really want to go to Scandinavia and Northern Europe, in fact, any country that speaks a Germanic language; including England.
Pom in exile
Roar Rookie
When you pontificate about a place and it’s people, it’s probably preferable to have at least visited, no? Otherwise you might just come off as jingoistic and ignorant. Not saying that you are Rowdy obviously but to the uninitiated…
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
And why would l want to go to England? My sperm donor comes from there. But it did produce see Kate Bush, LZ and Supertramp
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
We were talking cricket. And Yorkshire was the best region along with Jamaica and NSW across some article hear about two years ago.
Pom in exile
Roar Rookie
Certainly one of them.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
The best cricket area of England, non?
Doctor Rotcod
Roar Rookie
In the spirit of the game, it's a shame Pope is out. He put in in the field and injured his shoulder, went out to field, though sore He batted well, got one peach,but gave up a plum. Did commit one cardinal sin with the Grandhomme dismissal which is probably why he's under a vow of silence.
Opeo
Roar Rookie
The constant criticism of Robinson’s performances are getting really strange. He might be the bowler of the series so far. He is averaging is 24.6, better than Cummins, Hazlewood, Starc, Boland, Lyon, Anderson, and Broad. Bairstow deserves to be in the English team for his batting too.
Opeo
Roar Rookie
With all of the videos coming out of Bairstow cheaply running out players, and attempting to cheaply run out players, and McCullum's history of cheaply running out players, I am wondering if the reason that he is keeper is precisely because he is willing to effect this sort of dismissal, whereas Foakes might not be so willing.
Woody
Roar Rookie
Bringing in Foakes would be an excellent move, but why would they keep Bairstow? At 2-0 down they might as well find some more athletic types who can play. Equally true with Robinson, guy is clearly carrying extra poundage
Pom in exile
Roar Rookie
Are you sure about that James? There’s plenty of chat about it still from both sides of the fence.