EASIER TO DROP POPE... NOPE

But Ollie faces Bethell battle for England's No.3 spot in Ashes

- BY RORY DOLLARD

ROB KEY denies there is “an elaborate scheme” to oust Ollie Pope in favour of Jacob Bethell for the Ashes.

Pope's grip on the pivotal No.3 shirt has been the source of intense scrutiny for most of the year and, although he held the spot for all six Tests this summer, there are no guarantees he will remain in place against Australia.

Bethell will get the chance to play his way into the first-Test reckoning during next month's white-ball tour of New Zealand. Tuesday's decision to name Harry Brook as vice-captain for the series, a role Pope has held for the past three years, further loosened his grasp and a run of three T20s and three ODIs in New Zealand could settle things.