Rookie Ollie Pope to make his Test debut against India at Lord's

LONDON: Ollie Pope will make his England debut batting on the number 4 place for the second one Test in opposition to India at Lord's, captain Joe Root introduced on Wednesday.

The 20-year-old Surrey emerging megastar is an immediate replacement for Middlesex left-hander Dawid Malan, dropped after two low ratings in England's 31-run win in the first Test at Edgbaston closing week.

Uncapped Essex paceman Jamie Porter has been unnoticed from a 13-man squad, with England yet to decide whether Chris Woakes or spinner Moeen Ali will exchange all-rounder Ben Stokes, who misses out because of his ongoing courtroom case.

"We've got a 12. Jamie Porter is the unlucky one to miss out," Root instructed a pre-match press conference at Lord's on Wednesday.

"With the outside as it is, having looked at it as of late, we're going to go away it every other 24 hours and then decide in the morning.

"Ollie will are available and bat at 4. He's clearly batted at six for Surrey this season -- but having seen him play just a little bit, and the way in which his recreation is set up, I think it is very a lot transferable to bat at number 4 in Test cricket."

Root, who will likely be batting in the pivotal number 3 place, added: "I know that could be seen as slightly a big soar. But he is clearly a thrilling skill and, with the fellows round him, I think he fits effectively into that place in our group."

Pope handiest made his first-class debut in March closing yr and has been referred to as into the Test squad at the again of a mere 15 fits, while he has never batted in the most sensible 5 in County Championship cricket.

Yet this season has seen Pope make 684 runs for Championship leaders Surrey at a mean of 85.five, together with 3 centuries.

"He's very mature for a tender man," stated Root.

"I will be able to see that he thinks in regards to the recreation a lot and has an excellent understanding of the place he is at inside of his personal recreation -- which is a actually good sign in a tender man, coming into this setting. I hope that may stand him in actually good stead."

And having seen one 20-year-old from Surrey in Sam Curran megastar with each bat and ball at Edgbaston, Root stated he hoped Pope would have the confidence to play his personal recreation at Lord's.

"I think he is carried out exceptionally neatly this season in County Championship cricket," Root stated.

"He's played some very important knocks beneath power for Surrey, and he is were given an excellent all-round recreation.

"I'm looking forward to him, more than anything, just going out there and being himself -- and playing exactly as he has done throughout this summer."

England have frequently been cautious of picking younger avid gamers but new national selector Ed Smith has overseen what Root termed some "bold decisions" since taking price this season.

"If you're good enough, you're old enough," stated Root.

"These guys, Sam and Ollie, have are available as a result of they have executed some special things for Surrey of their recent past.

"A large number of the selections of past due were slightly daring on events. We're no longer shy of being just a little bit brave and doing things slightly in a different way. It's worked out for us thus far."

Meanwhile India captain Virat Kohli welcomed Pope to the arena stage by way of pronouncing: "It is going to be a big occasion for him. I'm happy for him, as a cricketer, I understand how essential it is.

"I I will tell him to enjoy the occasion, and not get too many runs," Kohli jokingly added.