Bethell Ruled Out of England Australia Tour
Jacob Bethell has been ruled out of England’s white-ball tour of Australia after a recurrence of his right knee injury. The Jacob Bethell ruled out news also puts his place in England’s Test series against South Africa in doubt, with the 23-year-old now set to return home for a specialist assessment.
Bethell has not featured for England since July, when he felt discomfort in his right knee while scoring 91 in a one-day international against India at Lord’s. He underwent surgery in September and had been expected to return during England’s tour of Australia.
He missed the warm-up match against Western Australia at the weekend before suffering what England described as a setback during a training session earlier this week. A scan then ruled him out of the tour, and he will now return to England to see a specialist.
England have called up Sussex all-rounder James Coles as cover, while uncapped seamer Eddie Jack has also joined the ODI squad as a replacement for Josh Tongue, who was already ruled out with a toe injury.
Jacob Bethell ruled out: a winter thrown off course
England’s tour of Australia begins with the first of three ODIs in Perth on Friday, followed by five T20 internationals. The team will then travel to South Africa for a three-match Test series, which begins on 17 December.
Bethell’s latest setback is a major concern for England, given his importance across all three formats and the time he has already spent on the sidelines. It is also a major disappointment for the young batter, whose 154 in the final Ashes Test against Australia in January was among the few positives from England’s disappointing campaign.
The Warwickshire batter was included in England’s squad for the three-Test series in South Africa, announced on Monday. His possible absence could reopen the door for other players to secure a place in the playing XI.
Before Bethell’s inclusion, selector Marcus North had said England were yet to determine who would make way from the side that defeated Pakistan 3-0 during the home summer. Opener Emilio Gay and number three Jordan Cox both featured in that series, with one expected to miss out to make room for Bethell’s return.
Bethell’s injury could now give both batters another chance to press their claims for a regular place in the Test side. Ollie Pope, meanwhile, was recalled as England’s reserve batter during the summer in Bethell’s absence. The Surrey batter is scheduled to feature for England Lions in South Africa, with the tour overlapping the senior team’s Test campaign, so he could emerge as a strong replacement option.
James Rew, who has one Test appearance to his name, and uncapped Durham opener Ben McKinney are also potential candidates after impressing during England Lions’ white-ball tour of the West Indies.
Root: “It’s disappointing for Jacob”
Speaking ahead of the first ODI in Australia, England Test captain Joe Root spoke of his disappointment over Bethell’s latest setback.
“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,” Root told BBC Sport. “Hopefully it’s not too serious and he’s not out for too long,” he added.
Root’s words reflect the mood in the England camp. Bethell had worked through months of rehab after surgery, travelled to Australia expecting to play, and then lost the tour to a problem in the same knee.
The timing is harsh: three ODIs and five T20s in Australia run from November 13 to December 2, then three Tests in South Africa start on December 17. A fit Bethell would have been central to all three formats.
The wider picture also matters for England’s planning. The first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi has shown how quickly a series can turn, and the second Test was moved from Lahore to Rawalpindi because of smog. England’s own Ashes history is also in the news, with Mitchell Starc breaking his silence on Usman Khawaja’s fresh Sandpapergate claims. Against that backdrop, losing a player of Bethell’s promise is a blow the side could do without.
What happens next
Coles and Jack will join the squad before Friday’s first ODI in Perth. Coles covers Bethell’s all-round role, while Jack, an uncapped seamer, fills the gap left by Tongue.
Bethell will return to England for further assessment by a specialist. The result of that assessment will decide whether he can take any part in the South Africa Tests, or whether his winter is over before it has begun. Elsewhere in the Test game, Rahmat Shah became the first Afghan batter to break into the ICC Test top ten this week, a reminder that the rankings keep moving while England regroup.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Jacob Bethell out of England’s Australia tour?
Bethell suffered a recurrence of his right knee injury during a training session in Perth. A scan ruled him out of the white-ball tour, and he will return to England for a specialist assessment.
Who has replaced Jacob Bethell in England’s ODI squad?
Sussex all-rounder James Coles has been called up as cover for Bethell, while uncapped seamer Eddie Jack joins the squad as a replacement for Josh Tongue, who is out with a toe injury.
Will Bethell play in the South Africa Test series?
His availability for the three-Test series, which starts on 17 December, is now in doubt. He was named in the squad on Monday, but the specialist’s assessment will decide whether he can take part.
When did Jacob Bethell last play for England?
Bethell last played in July, when he scored 91 in an ODI against India at Lord’s and felt discomfort in his right knee. He had surgery in September.
