Former England spinner Graeme Swann has delivered a stinging critique of batter Ollie Pope after an "awful dismissal" left England in deep trouble during the pivotal third Ashes Test in Adelaide.
Swann's Scathing Assessment of Pope's Innings
Batting at the crucial number three position, Pope managed just three runs before being dismissed by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon on Thursday, 18 December 2025. Swann, commentating on the match, did not hold back in his analysis, pinpointing a "lack of footwork" from the Surrey batsman. He suggested Pope had shown the bowler too much respect at a critical juncture, with England fighting to keep the Ashes series alive.
England's Uphill Battle at the Adelaide Oval
The home side's bowlers, led effectively by captain Pat Cummins, dominated day two in challenging conditions. England closed the day on 213 for 8 in their first innings, still trailing Australia's total by a significant 158 runs. Nathan Lyon praised his team's collective bowling effort, which has put Australia in a commanding position to retain the Ashes urn.
Future Questions for Pope and England
Pope's brief stay at the crease has inevitably raised fresh questions about his suitability for the vital number three role in the Test side. With England facing a must-win situation in Adelaide to level the series, the pressure on the batting lineup is immense. The team's precarious position means every dismissal is magnified, and Pope's early exit has placed further strain on the middle order to mount a substantial recovery on day three.
