• Source:JND
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JE Sports Desk: England have suffered a huge blow ahead of the third Ashes Test against Australia as batter Ollie Pope has been ruled out of the remaining series due to a shoulder injury, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced on Tuesday.

The middle-order batter sustained the injury while fielding on the opening day of the second Test at Lord's. Pope dislocated his shoulder when he made a diving attempt to stop Marnus Labuschagne's shot off Josh Tongue in the 28th over. He went off the field and did not return to the field again in the remaining part of the match. However, he came out to bat in both innings, scoring 42 and three runs respectively.

"England and Surrey batter Ollie Pope has been ruled out of the rest of the Men’s Ashes Series after dislocating his right shoulder during the second Ashes Test at Lord’s last week," England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement.

"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. He will work closely with the England and Surrey medical teams in respect of his rehabilitation,"

England have not named Pope's replacement for the third Test which starts at Headingley on Thursday. In his absence, Dan Lawrence is likely to fill Pope's place in the playing 11.

He last played a Test match against West Indies in March 2022. In 11 Tests, he averages 29.0 with four fifties, and fronting up to an Australian attack that has been sharp in the two matches so far would be quite the task.

All-rounder Moeen Ali, who will return after missing the last match, has also batted at No.3 spot six times in his career while Joe Root and Harry Brooks are the other options for the one down role.

England squad for third Test: Ben Stokes (c), Moeen Ali, James Anderson, Jonny Bairstow, Stuart Broad, Harry Brook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Dan Lawrence, Ollie Robinson, Joe Root, Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes, Mark Wood.