Jacob Bethell looks likely to be England’s choice at No.3 for the upcoming India series. Captain Ben Stokes has more or less confirmed Bethell will return to this pivotal role, despite missing the opening Test against Zimbabwe. This suggestion has stirred up competition amongst the squad.
As England’s series kicks off at Trent Bridge, Bethell will still be in India, playing his final IPL match for Royal Challengers Bengaluru against Sunrisers Hyderabad. He will then travel back to the UK ahead of the first ODI against the West Indies at Edgbaston.
Bethell’s absence from the Zimbabwe match stems from a prior agreement between the ECB and its players in the IPL. Originally, the IPL was to end earlier, but political tensions between India and Pakistan led to an unforeseen schedule shift. Nevertheless, Bethell’s performance in the series against New Zealand last year has positioned him as a strong candidate for a return.
In that series, Bethell amassed 260 runs with an average of 52.00, including three half-centuries. His maturity, coupled with the flair he displayed during his Test debut, drew positive feedback from coach Brendon McCullum. Unexpectedly thrust into the No.3 spot after Jordan Cox’s injury, Bethell adapted and excelled, scoring a decisive 50 not out in the final innings.
Reflecting on Bethell’s performance, McCullum commented, “He’s definitely given us a good headache and we’ve got a couple of months to work out what we’re doing.” Bethell’s success has created uncertainty for Ollie Pope, whose role may shift as a result.
At a recent press conference, Stokes hinted at Bethell’s involvement, saying, “If you’re smart enough, the series that Beth had out in New Zealand, obviously he’s going to be back in the UK for that India series. I think you put 2 and 2 together, you probably know what’s going to happen.”
The support for Bethell’s inclusion comes as England embarks on a crucial Test match stretch. This enhances pressure on Pope and Zak Crawley, as neither has secured consistent scores at the top of the order. Crawley, who struggled in New Zealand with an 8.66 average, might find solace in his past performances against India.
As the squad prepares for a challenging nine-month period with 11 Tests, these choices underscore the significance of a stable top order. For Bethell, it’s a chance to cement his place, while for Pope and Crawley, the series might prove pivotal in their international careers.
