Jacob Bethell has been ruled out of England’s white-ball tour of Australia and is a major doubt for the upcoming Test tour of South Africa after suffering a recurrence of a knee injury.
Setback in Australia Training
Bethell has not featured for England since July, when he experienced discomfort in his right knee while scoring 91 in a one-day international against India at Lord’s. Following surgery in September, the 23-year-old travelled to Australia for the series starting with the first of three one-day internationals in Perth on Friday.
However, Bethell sat out the weekend warm-up match against Western Australia and suffered what England termed a “setback” during training earlier in the week. After undergoing a scan, he is now scheduled to return home to consult a specialist.
England have summoned Sussex all-rounder James Coles as cover, while uncapped fast bowler Eddie Jack joins the one-day squad to replace Josh Tongue, who withdrew earlier due to a toe injury. Following the three ODIs, England will contest five T20 matches in Australia ahead of the Test series in South Africa, which commences on 17 December.
Impact on Test Plans
Bethell’s prolonged absence presents a significant challenge for England given his value across all three formats. It is equally frustrating for the player, whose 154 against Australia in January was a rare bright spot during England’s difficult Ashes campaign.
Despite the injury, the Warwickshire player was named on Monday in the squad for the three Tests in South Africa. When the squad was announced, selector Marcus North acknowledged that management had not yet decided who would make room in the starting lineup from the team that swept Pakistan 3-0 during the home summer.
Openers Emilio Gay and Jordan Cox both earned Test call-ups for that series, with Cox batting at number three, and both now have renewed chances to cement their long-term places. During the summer, Ollie Pope returned to the Test squad as reserve cover while Bethell was sidelined.
Because Pope is scheduled to play for the England Lions in South Africa during a tour that overlaps with the Test series, the Surrey batsman emerges as a leading candidate to step in should Bethell be officially ruled out. Alternative replacements for the South Africa tour include James Rew, who holds one Test cap, and uncapped Durham opener Ben McKinney, both of whom have performed strongly on the England Lions white-ball tour of the West Indies.
Speaking prior to the opening one-day match in Australia, Test captain Joe Root told BBC Sport: “It’s disappointing for Jacob. I don’t know much more. I know how hard he works and everything he’s done to get himself right. Hopefully it’s not too serious and he’s not out for too long.”
