Pope fit to join England’s Test squad in India after shoulder injury

Ollie Pope has been passed fit to join England’s Test squad ahead of Friday’s series opener against India.

The Surrey bats man has not played since August, when he sustained a dislocated shoulder against Pakistan, but has been travelling with the squad since they left for Sri Lanka at the start of January.

The 23-year-old has been working hi swayback to fitness, and even batted with some success during an intra-squad match in Ham ban to ta, and has now been given the green light to play. While he is clearly short of game time, Pope now has a strong chance of making the XI in Chennai.

A statement from the England and Wales Cricket Board read: “Surrey batsman Ollie Pope has been added to the England Test squad for the tour of India.

“Pope has fully recovered from a left shoulder injury. The England medical team are satisfied that he is available for selection.

“The 23-year-old has practised with the full squad over the past two days. England will have their final practice at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai ahead of the first Test starting on Friday.”

*Jonathan Trott has welcomed the prospect of England’s Test team returning to terrestrial television and believes it could help “get the nation behind the side” in India.

With just a day to go until the eagerly-anticipated fourmatch series begins in Chennai there has still been no confirmation of broadcast arrangements, but Channel 4 are understood to be closing in on a deal with rights holders Star Sports.

Should that come off, England’s Test cricketers would appear on one of the traditional free-to-air platforms for the first time since the 2005 Ashes.

The 2019 World Cup final was shared with Channel 4 by Sky Sports and attracted big viewing figures, including almostfive million on the terrestrial provider.

Trott, who is with the team in India as a batting consultant, played all 52 of his Test matches behind the Sky pay wall and believes the current corona virus restrictions make now the perfect time for the switch.

“I think the more people we can get watching the game is a great idea and fantastic for the sport,” he said.

“I’m sure it’s going to be exciting for everybody.

"For people in lockdown, hopefully they can watch it and we can get the nation behind the side and give a little bit back in what is quite a testing time all around the world.”