Marcus Trotescotick told Ollie Pope of England’s first-choice number for the Ashes, saying the tourists were “consistent” with their selection.
England will meet the England Lions in their Ashes warm-up match in Perth from Thursday and are likely to field an XI that will line up for the first test on 21 November.
Dad was forced into his number three spot from Jacob Bethell last year.
When asked who will fill the tour match role, England Assign Troteshick explained to Sport:
He added: “I can only say that we are a consistent team in what we try to do.”
Pope AVERAGES 41.60 batting at number three for England, although has a habit of fading as the series progresses. In the summer at home he made a century on his debut in the series against India, then passed 50 only once in his next eight.
When England announced their squads for Ashod, Dad was replaced as Vice-captain by Harry Brook, showing that it would be easier to get the Surrey Man out of the team more easily.
At the time, director of cricket clow key Pope was the “man owned” in the number-three spot.
Bethelell, 22, is a promising prospect and made his first professional century in a one-day international against South Africa in September.
The left-hander was part of the White-Ball in Whatera in New Zealand last month so had a chance to press his case in the Ashes, but could only manage a maximum score of 24 in five overs.
Bethell is likely to be part of the tour game. Any players from the Ashes Squad not in the England XI for the three-day game will join the lions xi.
With only one practice match played before the first test, England will want to ramp up the momentum during the game at Lilac Hill. Captain Ben Stokes, who often skips hot matches, is set to play his first cricket from July after recovering from a shoulder injury.
However, former England opener Trothotick said the warm-up performances may not change plans for the first test against Australia at Optus Stadium.
“I think everyone has a chance to prevent their claim,” he said. “As I mentioned, how consistent we are in our team selection, this is the level.
“Bar the odd injury we never really chipped in and changed well. It’s certainly not going to happen again in an Ashes series because there’s one hand by taking five wickets or getting 150.
“The team is what has been done for a period of time for a reason, so that when you get to the big series you are more confident and confident going into it.”