Jacob Bethell and Ollie Pope: Luke Wright gives no assurances on England number three

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Jacob Bethell and Ollie Pope: Luke Wright gives no assurances on England number three

Bethell could pressure opener Zak Crawley or frontline spinner Shoaib Bashir for a place in the XI but realistically it is a choice between the Warwickshire man and Pope.

Former England all-rounder Wright rejected the suggestion that the lack of clarity around Bethell’s position could unsettle the established members of the squad.

“Everyone knows before you go into any game there are always places up for grabs,” said Wright. “I don’t think anyone takes it for granted in international cricket. That’s the way it always should be.

“You want a strong squad. They are all big lads who know what it is all about. There will always be speculation about what that XI will be. I’m sure the players will be very aware of what’s going on and how it’s going to look before that first Test.”

Elsewhere, Jamie Overton returns to the Test squad for the first time in three years, but Matthew Potts misses out.

Wright explained that England wanted the option of Overton’s extra pace, while Potts had fallen behind Sam Cook in the role of Chris Woakes’ new-ball understudy.

It was also confirmed that Jofra Archer is planning to play for Sussex in their County Championship match at Durham, beginning on 22 June.

Archer, has not played red-ball cricket for more than four years because of a string of injuries.

He would have played for England Lions against India A at Northampton on Friday had it not been for a thumb injury.

Instead he will look to play for the Sussex second XI, then the first team at Chester-le-Street, with a view to being available for the second or third Test against India.

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