Stokes lashes out on media for peddling agenda against Pope and asked media to “put 2 and 2 together” in pre-match comments.
England Test captain Ben Stokes lashes out against the English media. He believes comments he made about Jacob Bethell ahead of the Zimbabwe Test were willfully taken out of context to suit an agenda against Ollie Pope.
Stokes used his post-match appearances to support his vice-captain, who scored an impressive 171 on day one, his eighth Test century, after England defeated Zimbabwe by an innings and 45 runs on day three at Trent Bridge.
After being questioned on Wednesday whether Bethell, who batted at No. 3 in the previous series in New Zealand but was absent this week due to IPL commitments with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, would return immediately for the series against India next month, Stokes criticised the presentation of his own remarks.
After Jordan Cox, Jamie Smith’s paternity leave cover replacement behind the stumps, broke a finger in the run-up to the first Test, Pope, who had been Stokes’ No. 3 since taking over as captain in 2022, fell down the order to keep wicket.
Bethell scored three half-centuries and finished with 260 runs at 52.00 in six innings. The top management was obviously impressed by the 21-year-old’s skill and composure. At a captaincy media conference on the Wednesday before the Test, Stokes was asked if Bethell was still regarded as the “incumbent No.3” even if his absence meant that no decision needed to be taken just yet.
“If you’re smart enough, the series that Beth had out in New Zealand, obviously he’s going to be back in the UK for that India series. So, I think you put 2 and 2 together, you probably know what’s going to happen.”
He mounted a strong defence of Pope after England won this four-day Test with more over four sessions remaining, essentially supporting him to begin the India series, which starts on June 20 at Headingley.
“There’s always someone going to be under the spotlight,” Stokes told BBC Test Match Special. “We’ve come into this game and I’ve personally felt that it was a bit of a… I don’t know… not a vendetta… but I got asked a simple question about Bethell, said put two and two together, he comes back into the squad and then all of a sudden it turns into something that suits the agenda of the time.
“He’s (Pope) my vice-captain, and he’s been incredible for me at No.3 and the team. I think he’s averaging over 40 now (43.06 at No.3), so it just suited what was being said, to be honest. Very, very pleased for him that he went out there and played the way that he did, he’s an important part to this team away from his runs as well, he’s a leader within the group and I value his leadership role as vice-captain as well.”