Ex-England captain lambasts Brendon McCullum for dropping Ollie Pope from playing XI for 4th Ashes Test

Former England captain Michael Atherton came out in support of Ollie Pope after he was dropped from the playing XI for the fourth Ashes Test. Pope was omitted from the team after he failed to record even a single 50+ score in the first three Tests. He only managed to score a total of 125 runs in six innings and wasn't able to play any big knock.

Despite Pope's dismal performances, Atherton backed him and highlighted how difficult it is to bat at the No.3 spot in Australia. However, he also stated that omitting him was necessary given his form and pointed out how his Test average on foreign soil has now dropped below 30.

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“Removing him from the firing line is the right call. The No. 3 position carries special status in Australia, because it is often where their best players have batted, as opposed to No. 4 in an England side, but Pope has looked too insecure in what is a vital position. After three poor Tests, his average away from home has dropped below 30, and against Australia it is a paltry 17," Atherton wrote in his column for The Times.

Atherton's criticism on McCullum

Atherton then went on to criticize Brendon McCullum and recalled how his first bold call as England head coach was making Pope bat at the No.3 spot. He further remarked that reversing that decision only highlights the Three Lions' struggles in the ongoing Ashes series even more.

“Putting Pope at No. 3 was the first big call that Brendon McCullum made as head coach, and dropping him will be a painful reminder of how everything is falling apart," Atherton added.

England make big changes to the XI

Meanwhile, England had to make another massive change to their playing XI for the fourth Test as star pacer Jofra Archer was ruled out for the remainder of the series. He has sustained a side strain and will be replaced by Gus Atkinson in the fourth Test. The visitors also decided not to give a spot to Shoaib Bashir in the XI and instead handed a debut to all-rounder Jacob Bethell.

England's playing XI for 4th Ashes Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue.