England’s eight-wicket defeat in Brisbane left the tourists 2-0 down in the Ashes and has ratcheted up calls for change — in mindset, preparation and possibly selection. Options are limited by the current squad, but one clear question is whether Jacob Bethell should replace Ollie Pope at No 3 for the third Test in Adelaide.
Why a change is being discussed
Adelaide is a last real opportunity to alter the side while the series is still contestable. Several top-order problems have emerged: Harry Brook has been guilty of throwing his wicket away, Ben Duckett’s best return on tour is 28 from four innings, and Zak Crawley produced a pair in Perth despite showing some form at the Gabba. Pope’s two innings in Brisbane were particularly damaging — a first-innings duck after chipping at an outside-off delivery and a second innings of loose shots and edges culminating in a soft caught-and-bowled. With 63 Tests, Pope is experienced, but his record against Australia is poor: seven Tests without a fifty and an average of 18.71.
The Bethell case
Bethell has been the obvious alternative proposed. The 22-year-old left-hander offers left-arm spin, which could help balance a side that might play Will Jacks as the sole specialist spinner in Adelaide — a ground that can favour spin. Bethell’s credentials include three fifties at No 3 in his debut Test series in New Zealand and a recent 71 for the England Lions in Australia.
But his drawbacks are clear: youth and limited red-ball experience. He has yet to score a red-ball hundred, has been in and out of the England setup (losing the No 3 spot back to Pope for matches against Zimbabwe and India), and had only brief opportunities most recently. Selecting him for a high-pressure Ashes Test in unfamiliar conditions would be a sizeable gamble.
Arguments for and against
Supporters of a change point to Bethell’s left-handedness, his spin option and his recent runs for the Lions, arguing those factors could be useful in Adelaide. Critics counter that Pope’s overall Test record and proven run-scoring make him the safer choice. They argue Bethell’s recent 71 for the Lions, while encouraging, does not compensate for his limited track record in red-ball cricket and the pressure of an Ashes Test.
Practical constraints
Selection is constrained by the squad makeup: there is no spare specialist opener, wicketkeeping cover is thin — which bolsters Jamie Smith’s case to remain in the side — and Will Jacks’ retention influences the spin balance. Bringing in Josh Tongue to freshen the seam attack has been floated, and the spin options are influenced by how much faith selectors place in Jacks as the front-line spinner. Any change at No 3 must weigh the short-term potential uplift against the risk of exposing a relatively inexperienced batter in a pivotal match.
Remaining Ashes schedule (UK times)
First Test (Perth): Australia beat England by eight wickets
Second Test (Brisbane): Australia beat England by eight wickets
Third Test: Wednesday December 17 – Sunday December 21 (11.30pm) – Adelaide Oval
Fourth Test: Thursday December 25 – Monday December 29 (11.30pm) – MCG
Fifth Test: Sunday January 4 – Thursday January 8 (11.30pm) – SCG
Selectors face a choice between continuity and a bold switch. Bethell brings variety and recent form, but Pope offers experience and a longer track record — and the decision will come down to how much risk the selection panel is willing to take in Adelaide.