Aaj English TV

Wednesday, December 24, 2025  
03 Rajab 1447  

England drop Pope for Boxing Day test; Archer out of Ashes

Gus Atkinson will replace Archer for the rest of the tour
England’s Ollie Pope. – Reuters file
England’s Ollie Pope. – Reuters file

England dropped vice-captain Ollie Pope for the fourth test against Australia, while fast bowler Jofra Archer was ruled out of the rest of the Ashes series with a left side strain, the touring side said on Wednesday.

“Fast bowler Jofra Archer has been ruled out for the remainder of the tour with a left side strain,” the touring side said in a statement.

Surrey seamer Gus Atkinson will replace Archer as England, 3-0 down in the five-test series, seek to salvage pride in the last two matches.

Jacob Bethell will bat at number three in the Boxing Day test, replacing Pope, whose 46 in Perth remains his highest score in six Ashes innings on this tour.

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (captain), Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue

For the latest news, follow us on Twitter @Aaj_Urdu. We are also on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

Ashes Series

Jofra Archer

Ollie Pope

Ashes2025

Gus Atkinson

English cricket