England’s No. 3 debate deepens as Pope struggles in Ashes

England’s hopes of regaining the Ashes took another blow on the fourth day of the third Test as Ollie Pope was dismissed for 17, leaving his series tally at 125 runs at 20 and renewing questions about his place at No. 3. Marnus Labuschagne snapped up a second-slip chance, underscoring the recurring concerns about England’s plan in the heart of the order as the tourists chased a world-record 435 to keep the series alive.

At 64 Tests into his career, Pope’s early promise has yet to translate into consistent Ashes returns. Critics have pointed to a tentative outside-off game and a tendency to stab at deliveries, with his latest innings described in some circles as both predictable and damaging for England’s momentum. The batting unit has struggled to sustain partnerships, and Pope’s series average of 17 from 16 innings against Australia stands in contrast to the potential many believed he could deliver when he emerged as a mainstay at No. 3.

Jacob Bethell, 21, remains waiting in the wings after a high-class showing in New Zealand last season, where he averaged 52 from No. 3. England had debated whether Pope or Bethell should start the Ashes at first drop, and the decision to back Pope has become a flashpoint amid a run of results that have not satisfied the short-term needs. The issue has been intertwined with England’s off-field discussions about player availability for the IPL, where Bethell spent time in India while Pope played in Zimbabwe and India-related fixtures. Pope’s 171 in the one-off Test against Zimbabwe and a century in the first Test against India at Headingley have only intensified the debate about whether Pope is immovable at No. 3 or whether Bethell might provide the steadier hand under pressure.

England’s captain, Ben Stokes, has publicly backed Pope, highlighting his willingness to fill multiple roles—opening, No. 3, and wicketkeeper when required—though the strain of those demands has been evident for some observers. Brendon McCullum has described the No. 3 topic as a good problem to have, a line that has not forestalled calls for a clearer resolution as the Ashes push toward Melbourne and Sydney.

After stumps on day four, Zak Crawley addressed the reviews surrounding Pope by giving voice to a familiar sentiment in cricket: that tough times and criticism come with the job. Crawley noted that Pope has delivered big scores in the past and remains an exceptionally talented player who faces a difficult role in a challenging series. His defense of Pope underscored the team’s broader challenge: sustaining belief in a player while balancing the team’s best chance to win.

With two Tests to play in Australia, the England hierarchy faces a decision that could define this campaign. Bethell’s rise in form at No. 3 in New Zealand provides a contrasting profile—youthful confidence and clean ball-striking—against Pope’s proven resilience but inconsistent returns at the top of the order. The coming matches will test whether England persists with loyalty to Pope or accelerates a transition to Bethell to provide a steadier platform as the innings unfold, aiming to stem the series tide rather than simply salvage a fight. The question remains whether the current approach can translate into a breakthrough performance that reverses a series in which England has trailed for most of the contest.