England kept faith with Ollie Pope as the No. 3 batter for the first cricket test against India despite the return to the squad of Jacob Bethell. England announced its team on Wednesday, two days out from the start of the five-match series,

Shoaib Bashir's Test figures, while not remarkable, are solid for a spinner -- he has taken 58 wickets at an average of 36.39, including four five-wicket hauls.

It will be Ollie Pope, rather than Jacob Bethell, who bats at No. 3 for England against India in Friday's first Test at Headingley. Pope, England's vice-captain, left his position vulnerable after a poor run of form last year.