The Ashes 2023: England 'baffled' by circumstances of Ollie Pope's shoulder injury

Pope was injured on the court in the first round and was injured again after diving in the second leg.

Match officials are believed to have incorrectly said England Pope had to field, or they leave with 10 men.

< p class="" data-reactid=".29z9p0pekz6.0.0.0.1.$paragraph-4">"We're a little baffled by all of this," Patel said.

Pope suffered the second injury while diving halfway through, as Australia struck in his second round.

After the first-round injury, Pope, 25, got a replacement and then could beat at number three in the England order because it was considered an "external injury". paragraph-8">It is understood that it was then suggested that the allowance for another on-field substitute was "reset" because Pope went out at bat meaning England did not was allowed to replace him with a substitute in the second run.

"It's quite a difficult situation where you nearly broke your shoulder and were told it was an external issue," Patel said.

"The referees may have changed their decision. He had to go back."

Pope should be able to beat in England's second set, although he is in pain.

England will make a call after the game to find out if Pope is fit enough for the third test, which starts at Headingley next Thursday.

Australia had a record of 130-2, leading by 221 points, when rain ended day three prematurely.