England batsman Ollie Pope has been released from the squad for the second Test against India at Lord’s.

The England and Wales Cricket Board on Thursday said that batsman Ollie Pope has been released from England’s squad for the second Test against India at Lord’s. Pope was not part of England’s playing XI in the rain-affected first Test at Trent Bridge. These ended in a draw and will now play for Surrey against Derbyshire on Thursday in the Royal London One-Day Cup.

Pope has scored 882 runs in 19 Tests with the highest score of 135 not out against South Africa in January 2020. However, he has not been able to reach the 35-run mark in his last 8 Tests.

A thigh injury in a Vitality Blast match against Kent Spitfires had kept Pope out since 2 July and he had worked to get fit for England’s series opener.

The England and Wales Cricket Broad on Wednesday confirm that pacer Saqib Muhmmud has been added to the team squad as a cover for the against India, on Thursday at the Lords Cricket ground

Pope toured India with England earlier this year, having recovered from a shoulder injury, averaging 19 in the four-match series, which ended in a 3-1 victory for India.

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