SHA Small Heath Alliance

Rob Key says Ollie Pope is the man in possession of Englands number three spot but stops short of confirming who will line up for the first Ashes Test.

[www.bbc.com]

I don't know why but it irks me that this is so constantly talked about. Pope isn't world class and never will be but he's the best 3 we've had in years.

Yet another media story about a player who has played number 3 for the past 40+ test matches, and has played number 3 despite media questioning the entire fecking time, is still likely to play number 3 despite ongoing media questioning.

It's hardly a unique topic, and the media clearly aren't going to force the narrative in a Stokes/McCullum setup (which I strongly approve of)

I wish they'd just get behind the team, back the players, and give them the best shot of winning a few tests in Australia. If Pope has a stinker - then yea, he'll get dropped for Bethell. But he has 5 test centuries in the last 24 months, and he's got more test hundreds at 3 than Jonathan fecking Trott did who is our best 3 of my lifetime

And, it's not as if Bethell has been demanding the place in the side because of his run-scoring, however much potential he may have.