Ollie Pope has Ben Stokes' best wishes ahead of his debut Test

Ben Stokes is currently in the middle of a court-trial owing to a nightclub brawl back in September last year.

Published - 09 Aug 2018, 19:29 IST | Updated - 09 Aug 2018, 19:29 IST

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After a resounding victory against India at Edgbaston in Birmingham, England earned themselves a 1-0 lead in the series. The second Test is scheduled to be played at Lord’s and the Poms would be keen to carry over their stupendous form in the next match at the ‘Mecca of Cricket’ as well. Meanwhile, despite the triumph, they have decided to make a couple of changes.

Ben Stokes, who is currently in the middle of a court-trial owing to a nightclub brawl, was left out of the squad for the second Test. Dawid Malan, the middle-order batsman was also omitted. He was awful in all departments and Ollie Pope from Surrey was drafted in place of him. Pope has been prime form in the Division one of England’s ongoing County Championship.

Stokes leaves a message for Pope

In eight matches, the 20-year-old racked 684 runs at an average of 85.50. He racked up three centuries and one half-century with a highest score of 158 not out against Yorkshire at Kennington Oval in London. Coincidentally, Sam Curran, the all-rounder who tormented India in the opening Test, also played alongside Pope for Surrey and impressed with both bat and ball.

He scored 138 runs and picked up 24 wickets in six matches. Curran carried over his form in the opening Test against Virat Kohli’s men and Pope would also be keen to step up at the highest level as well. In the meantime, Stokes wished the English team prior to the second Test. He also wished Pope for his maiden appearance in Test cricket.

The English all-rounder posted a photo of Curran celebrating a wicket and tagged Pope in his message for the team. He took to Instagram and wrote, “Good luck to all the englandcricket lads today and for the rest of the week,always exciting seeing guys get there first opportunity,hope it goes for you well for you @opope32 #loveengland”.

Here is Stokes’ post

Good luck to all the @englandcricket lads today and for the rest of the week,always exciting seeing guys get there first opportunity,hope it goes for you well for you @opope32 #loveengland
A post shared by Ben Stokes (@stokesy) on Aug 8, 2018 at 11:33pm PDT

Stokes also shared his wishes on Twitter.

Here is the tweet

Good luck to all the englandcricket lads today and for the rest of the week,always exciting seeing guys get there first opportunity,hope it goes for you well for you @opope32 #loveengland https://t.co/7y4yb2sLne
— Ben Stokes (@benstokes38) August 9, 2018