England keep faith with Ollie Pope for first India Test as Jacob Bethell misses out; Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse return

18 June 2025, 08:57 | Updated: 18 June 2025, 17:27

England have kept faith with Ollie Pope, left out Jacob Bethell and recalled seam bowlers Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse for the first Test against India at Headingley.

Pope has been retained at No 3 for the Leeds Test, live on Sky Sports from Friday (11am first ball), after scoring 171 in the innings thrashing of Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge in May.

Bethell missed that match while on IPL duty for Royal Challengers Bengaluru but an impressive start to his England career had led to calls for him to be immediately restored.

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