"When you are 6ft 7in.." Ollie Pope explains pacer Josh Hull's selection for 3rd test vs SL despite poor FC record

Ollie Pope backs Josh Hull’s selection in spite of the pacer averaging 62 in first-class cricket.

England’s stand-in captain Ollie Pope has opened up pacer Josh Hull’s selection in the playing XI for the final match of the three-match test series against Sri Lanka. The 20-year-old pacer will make his debut in the third test, which will be played at the Kennington Oval in London from September 6.

The left-arm seamer Hull replaced pacer Mark Wood in the squad ahead of the second test in Manchester. He now gets an opportunity in the XI, replacing Matthew Potts.

Despite having a poor record in First-Class (FC), Hull has been picked in England’s playing XI, chiefly because of his height, which is above 6ft, and physical attributes.

In FC cricket, Hull has played 10 games and took 16 wickets till now at a dismal bowling average of 62.

There is a lot to like about him: Ollie Pope

Ahead of the third test against Sri Lanka, Pope opined that Hull’s height could be a massive advantage for the hosts.

“He has obviously got a massive ceiling and he is pretty massive himself as well, which is pretty handy as a bowler. When you are 6ft 7in, you can get it down pushing up to the 90mph mark. And with the left-arm swing, there is a lot to like about it,” Pope said during the press conference.

Pope further added that it was an exciting week for the tall left-arm seamer as he prepares for an unexpected test debut.

“I think it is a real exciting week for him. The last match of the series. We are 2-0 up, but he is obviously going to still have those nerves coming in. We know what he can do moving forward. It is a great week for him to come in, learn a little bit, and show off exactly what he can do,” Pope added.

England playing XI vs Sri Lanka for third test:

Dan Lawrence, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (C), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Olly Stone, Josh Hull, Shoaib Bashir

For more updates, follow Khel Now Cricket on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram.