There is a world where we did not get to this point.
Pope dislocated his shoulder diving in the field during the 2023 Ashes at Lord's, which spared him three more Tests against Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and co.
Had he failed three more times there, Hyderabad may not have been possible.
But, having recalled him then and retained him since, England must also take some of the blame for Pope's struggles.
Throughout 2025 they have flirted with dropping him for 21-year-old Jacob Bethell, who stepped in as number three during last year's tour of New Zealand.
Stokes said his comments had been twisted to suit an "agenda" when the discussion came to a head during the first Test against Zimbabwe in May.
Any speculation England would replace Pope with Bethell was not made in isolation, however.
As recently as September managing director Rob Key left the door open for a change. England have repeatedly talked up their bright new thing.
The result has been a situation that has suited neither man.
Bethell barely played all summer, meaning if he does come in for the fourth Test in Melbourne he will do so having batted in one first XI match against a red ball for county or country in more than a year, while Pope has gone on without the security that brought success in those early months in the role.
Don't forget how he also had the vice-captaincy taken from him on the eve of the Ashes.
There remains a possibility of both Pope and Bethell playing next week, if England deem wicketkeeper Jamie Smith's poor run such that he would be best removed from the spotlight.
In six Tests standing in as keeper Pope averages 45.60 with the bat - the best average for an England keeper in 132 years.
"I'm not saying I would go that way, but that's one option - move Ollie down and keep," says former England captain Michael Vaughan.
"At number three he's done. Ollie has had a lot of chances, but at number three I don't think it's working."
More likely, though, after 64 Tests and 34 as number three, Pope has one innings to save that prized position.