Jacob Bethell has emerged as a potential doubt for England’s first Test of their home summer, against New Zealand, starting on June 4, after suffering an injury to his finger while fielding for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL. Jacob Bethell damaged the ring finger on his left hand while diving to save a boundary in the final over of RCB’s win over Punjab Kings in Dharamsala on Sunday. He was ruled out of their final group game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday night as a result and was seen in the dugout with some strapping on his left hand.
ECB’s statement on Jacob Bethell’s injury
The ECB said in a statement on Saturday night that they have agreed with RCB that Bethell should return home, and that he will be “fully assessed and monitored” by England’s medical team to “determine his availability for selection” for the first Test at Lord’s.
Jacob Bethell is due to bat at No. 3 in the first Test after scoring his maiden hundred in England’s most recent Test innings, against Australia at the SCG in January. He has struggled for form with RCB, as he made 96 runs in 7 innings, and his involvement in the IPL has been the subject of much debate within English cricket, with it being so close to the start of the international summer.
Somerset’s James Rew is the spare batter in England’s squad for the first Test, while Bethell’s team-mate at RCB, Jordan Cox, could be a contender for a call-up if the injury rules him out. Bethell’s replacement at the top of RCB’s batting order, Venkatesh Iyer, scored 44 off 19 balls on Friday night, while Phil Salt has also joined up with the squad ahead of the first qualifier against the Gujarat Titans in Dharamsala on Tuesday after his own finger injury.
RCB’s Best Wishes for Jacob Bethell
RCB said in a statement, “Everyone at RCB wishes Jacob a speedy recovery and the very best for his rehabilitation process.”Â
The rest of England’s squad for the first Test match are due to link up at Loughborough for a training camp on Sunday. The only exception is Rehan Ahmed, who remains in the IPL, though his franchise, Delhi Capitals, will not qualify for next week’s knockout stages, or the playoffs, as we call them.
It remains to be seen how England will shape their playing XI should Jacob Bethell be ruled out of the first Test due to injury. England will monitor him and take the decision accordingly, as he has been in stellar form for the Three Lions so far. He will want to do well and be eager to go. Whether the body allows it to happen remains to be seen from all ends.
What Lies Ahead for England?Â
England are now set to embark on a home summer where multiple teams will come and visit them in different formats. They start their home summer against New Zealand in a 3-match Test series. They will have India coming to them for a limited-overs series, i.e., ODIs + T20Is. As of now, it is 3 ODIS and as many T20Is, but the figure could differ soon. Pakistan are also set to tour England for Three Tests as well. If we look at Test cricket, England have got two series at home against New Zealand and Pakistan and will want to garner maximum points out of these fixtures.
Pakistan are not in great form after losing to Bangladesh, while New Zealand have a poor record away from home. So, England has a good chance of winning both the series and winning most of the 6 matches on offer. It’s an opportunity for them to climb upwards in the points table. But can they do it though?
Let’s see how things unfold in the home summer in England.
Also Read:Â ENG vs NZ: ECB Drop Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope; Name Revamped Squad