England batsman Ollie Pope released from second Test squad against India

London, Aug 12 (IANS) England batsman Ollie Pope has been released from the squad for the second Test against India at the Lord's, said the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Thursday.Pope was not a part of the England eleven in the rain-affected first Test at Trent Bridge, which ended in a draw. His release means he will now play for Surrey against Derbyshire on Thursday in the Royal London One-Day Cup. A left thigh muscle injury in the Vitality Blast match against Kent Spitfires had kept Pope out of action since July 2 and he was working hard to get fit ahead of the Test series against India. Since making his Test debut against India at 'he Lord's in 2018, the right-handed Pope has made 882 runs in 19 Tests. Pope's highest score in Tests is an unbeaten 135 against South Africa in 2020, apart from five half-centuries. He toured India with England earlier this year in February-March after recovering from a shoulder injury. He had a torrid time in India, averaging 19 in a series of four Tests which India won 3-1. In the last eight Tests he featured in, the 23-year-old Pope has been unable to reach the 35-run mark.
--IANSnr/bsk