🔥🏏 Archer Ruled Out of Ashes Tour as Bethell Replaces Pope for Boxing Day Test
🏟️ Boxing Day Test Looms as England Face Fresh Setbacks in Australia
England’s already turbulent Ashes 2024–25 tour of Australia has taken another dramatic turn, with Jofra Archer ruled out of the remainder of the series due to a side strain. As the iconic Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) approaches, England have been forced into significant changes, reflecting both injury concerns and mounting pressure following another defeat.
In a move that underlines the severity of England’s situation, Jacob Bethell has been drafted in to replace Ollie Pope at No. 3, while Gus Atkinson returns to the side as Archer’s replacement. Despite growing scrutiny, Ben Duckett has retained his place, receiving strong backing from captain Ben Stokes even as an ECB investigation into his off-field conduct continues.
The Ashes, long regarded as cricket’s most storied rivalry, is once again proving brutal for England — physically, mentally, and tactically.
🚨 Jofra Archer Ruled Out: A Massive Blow to England’s Ashes Campaign
Few announcements could have hit England harder than the confirmation that Jofra Archer will miss the final two Tests of the Ashes series. The fast bowler, who has been England’s most threatening weapon on Australian pitches, suffered a side strain during the second Test in Adelaide.
🧠 Injury Timeline and Medical Assessment
Archer’s discomfort became evident in the second innings at Adelaide, where his workload was noticeably reduced. Following the match, he underwent scans in Melbourne, which confirmed the side strain. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) acted swiftly, ruling him out of the Boxing Day Test and the series finale.
Archer is expected to return to the UK next week for further assessment, with England hopeful that the injury will not jeopardize his availability for the T20 World Cup in February.
🌟 Archer’s Impact: England’s Standout Performer in a Losing Cause
Despite England’s struggles, Jofra Archer has arguably been their best player of the series. His return to Test cricket earlier this year marked the end of a long and painful injury absence spanning more than four years, during which elbow and back issues kept him out of the red-ball format.
📊 Archer’s Ashes Numbers
- Wickets: 9
- Best Match Figures: 6 wickets in Adelaide
- Additional Contribution: Valuable lower-order runs
His spell in Adelaide, where he took six wickets in Australia’s 82-run victory, was a reminder of his rare ability to combine raw pace, bounce, and hostility — even on flat Australian surfaces.
England captain Ben Stokes praised Archer’s efforts, calling his performance “exceptional” and acknowledging his importance to the side.
🔄 Gus Atkinson Returns to Bolster the Pace Attack
With Archer sidelined, England have turned to Gus Atkinson, who will slot into the XI for the Boxing Day Test. Atkinson is expected to share the new ball with Brydon Carse, forming a pace-heavy attack tailored for the MCG’s traditionally bouncy surface.
Atkinson’s inclusion adds freshness but also highlights England’s dwindling fast-bowling resources as injuries continue to pile up.
⚠️ No Replacement Called Up for Final Test
Despite Archer’s exit, England have opted not to call up a direct replacement for the final Test of the series. The selectors have placed their trust in Matthew Potts and Matthew Fisher, both of whom remain available and are part of the broader touring group.
This decision underscores England’s belief that their current pace depth — though stretched — is sufficient to navigate the final stages of the tour.
🌀 Spin Dilemma: Shoaib Bashir Overlooked Again
One of the more puzzling aspects of England’s selection strategy has been the continued omission of Shoaib Bashir, who has now been overlooked for the fourth consecutive Test.
Despite Ben Stokes repeatedly insisting that Bashir remains England’s No. 1 spinner, the team management has again opted against playing a specialist frontline spinner.
🧩 Will Jacks Retains His Place
Instead, Will Jacks continues at No. 8, offering part-time spin alongside his batting. While Jacks provides balance, the decision raises questions about England’s long-term spin strategy in conditions traditionally unforgiving to slow bowlers.
🔥 Josh Tongue Retained After Adelaide Five-For
Another notable retention is Josh Tongue, who impressed in Adelaide with a five-wicket haul. Tongue’s aggressive lengths and ability to extract bounce earned him a place for the Boxing Day Test, signaling England’s intent to attack rather than contain.
🔁 Batting Shake-Up: Jacob Bethell Replaces Ollie Pope at No. 3
Perhaps the most eye-catching change is in England’s batting lineup, where Ollie Pope has been dropped and replaced by Jacob Bethell at the crucial No. 3 position.
📉 Ollie Pope’s Ashes Struggles
Pope’s struggles against Australia are now well documented:
- Innings vs Australia: 16
- Half-centuries: 0
- Runs in this series: 125
- Average: 20.83
This marks the second consecutive Ashes tour in which Pope has been dropped, a damning statistic for a player once seen as England’s long-term solution at No. 3.
Despite captaining England in Stokes’ absence during the home series against India earlier this year, Pope was removed as vice-captain before the Ashes and has now paid the price for continued inconsistency.
🆕 Jacob Bethell’s Opportunity: A Bold and Risky Call
Jacob Bethell will earn his fifth Test cap on Boxing Day, stepping into one of the most pressurized roles in world cricket.
🧾 Bethell’s Profile
- Test debut: New Zealand (last year)
- First-class centuries: 0
- County Championship appearances (last summer): 1
- Strength: White-ball pedigree, leadership experience
Despite limited red-ball credentials, Bethell has become a regular feature in England’s white-ball teams and even captained England during their T20I series against Ireland in September.
His selection reflects England’s willingness to back potential and temperament over traditional first-class statistics.
🔍 Ben Duckett Retained Amid Form and Conduct Concerns
One of the most debated decisions has been the retention of Ben Duckett, who has failed to score 30 in any of his first innings of the series.
📉 Duckett’s Ashes Form
Duckett’s inability to convert starts has put pressure on England’s top order, but captain Ben Stokes has remained steadfast in his support.
Adding to the controversy is an ECB investigation into Duckett’s conduct, following the circulation of a viral video that appeared to show him intoxicated and unsure how to return to his hotel.
🛡️ Stokes Backs Duckett Publicly
Despite the scrutiny, Stokes offered Duckett his “complete support”, emphasizing trust and unity within the squad.
This stance highlights England’s commitment to player welfare and stability, even amid external noise and intense pressure.
🇦🇺 Australia Set for Major Changes as Well
England are not the only side dealing with disruption. Australia are expected to make at least three changes for the Boxing Day Test.
❌ Key Absentees for Australia
- Pat Cummins: Out with a back rehabilitation issue
- Nathan Lyon: Ruled out with a torn hamstring
🧢 Steven Smith to Captain
With Cummins unavailable, Steven Smith is set to captain Australia, marking another chapter in his leadership journey as he returns from illness.
These absences could open a rare window of opportunity for England at the MCG.
📝 England XI for the 4th Test vs Australia
England have confirmed their XI for the Boxing Day Test:
- Zak Crawley
- Ben Duckett
- Jacob Bethell
- Joe Root
- Harry Brook
- Ben Stokes (captain)
- Jamie Smith (wicketkeeper)
- Will Jacks
- Gus Atkinson
- Matthew Potts
- Josh Tongue
📊 Tactical Breakdown: England’s Boxing Day Strategy
🔹 Pace-Heavy Attack
With four seamers and no frontline spinner, England are banking on bounce, aggression, and reverse swing.
🔹 Batting Stability Through the Middle
Joe Root and Harry Brook remain central to England’s hopes of posting competitive totals.
🔹 Leadership Under Pressure
Ben Stokes faces one of the toughest leadership tests of his career, managing injuries, form issues, and scrutiny in hostile conditions.
🧠 The Bigger Picture: What This Means for England Cricket
The decisions made for the Boxing Day Test reflect broader themes within England cricket:
- Transition from traditional red-ball pathways
- Increased reliance on multi-format players
- Emphasis on mentality and adaptability
- Willingness to take selection risks
Whether these choices pay off will shape not just this Ashes series, but England’s Test future.
🏁 Final Thoughts: England at a Crossroads in the Ashes
The loss of Jofra Archer is more than just an injury setback — it symbolizes England’s struggle to maintain momentum, fitness, and consistency on one of cricket’s toughest stages.
With Jacob Bethell thrust into the spotlight, Duckett under scrutiny, and Australia also weakened, the Boxing Day Test could define the narrative of this Ashes tour.
For England, it is no longer just about salvaging the series — it is about pride, resilience, and proving they can still compete in the cauldron of Australian cricket.
As the MCG prepares to host another iconic Boxing Day clash, all eyes will be on whether England can finally turn adversity into opportunity.
🧠🏏 Cricketory Insights & Tactical Analysis
🔥 Why Archer’s Absence Changes England’s Entire Game Plan
Jofra Archer wasn’t just England’s fastest bowler — he was their control bowler in chaos. His ability to strike at any stage meant Australia never felt completely safe. Without him, England lose:
- A strike option with the old ball
- Short-ball intimidation at the MCG
- A lower-order batting buffer
Cricketory Insight:
Archer’s injury forces England into a containment-first approach instead of their preferred aggression-first model.
⚖️ Bethell at No. 3: Selection Philosophy Over Statistics
Jacob Bethell’s promotion is a mindset-based decision, not a numbers-based one. England are prioritizing:
- Shot range against bounce
- Mental resilience over first-class volume
- Multi-format adaptability
Risk Factor:
No. 3 at the MCG is a pressure cooker. Bethell’s success depends entirely on how he negotiates the new ball against lateral movement.
🌀 Spin Without a Specialist: A Dangerous MCG Gamble
Persisting without Shoaib Bashir indicates England expect:
- Minimal turn
- Heavy reliance on seam and reverse swing
- Short, sharp spells rather than long control phases
Strategic Concern:
If the pitch flattens by Day 4, England may lack a wicket-taking option.
🔍 Duckett’s Retention: Dressing Room Unity Over Public Pressure
Ben Duckett’s selection signals England’s refusal to let external narratives dictate internal decisions.
Key Insight:
Stokes backing Duckett is less about runs and more about protecting psychological stability in a fragile squad.
🇦🇺 Australia’s Injuries Shift the Balance — Slightly
With Cummins and Lyon out:
- Australia lose leadership and control
- Smith’s captaincy becomes attack-focused
- England gain a small tactical opening early
Reality Check:
Australia’s depth still keeps them favorites, but England now have a genuine window in the first two days.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (Ashes Boxing Day Test)
Q1. Why has Jofra Archer been ruled out of the Ashes?
A: He suffered a side strain during the Adelaide Test and has been ruled out as a precaution.
Q2. Who replaces Jofra Archer for England?
A: Gus Atkinson replaces Archer in the England XI for the Boxing Day Test.
Q3. Why was Ollie Pope dropped from the Ashes XI?
A: Pope failed to score a half-century in 16 Ashes innings and averaged just 20.83 in the series.
Q4. Why is Jacob Bethell playing at No. 3?
A: England selected Bethell for his adaptability, temperament, and white-ball experience despite limited red-ball credentials.
Q5. Why does Ben Duckett keep his place despite poor form?
A: Captain Ben Stokes has publicly backed Duckett, prioritizing stability and confidence.
Q6. Who will captain Australia in the Boxing Day Test?
A: Steven Smith will captain Australia in Pat Cummins’ absence.