Jacob Bethel: England hope batsman available for first New Zealand Test

Emilio Gay, England’s other batsman James Rew and Bethel will be on standby due to his Test debut along with Ben Duckett.

Warwickshire’s Bethel averages 43.27 in six Tests, including a century in Sydney – one of the few highlights in England’s 4-1 defeat.

But his time in the IPL has come under scrutiny, given his lack of domestic red-ball cricket – Bethel have played just once in the County Championship since August 2024.

Before breaking into the Bethel Bangalore squad midway through this IPL campaign, former England captain Sir Alastair Cook questioned his presence in India when he said: “He’s not doing anything. Ideally he can come back and play for Warwickshire to help England.”

Cook’s former England teammate Kevin Pietersen responded by writing in X: “Alastair Cook has absolutely no idea what it’s like to be in the IPL. What it’s like to be around the best players in the world all the time.

“So his opinion about Jacob Bethel doesn’t matter at all. Stay in India, Jacob. I know, even if you’re not playing, you’re learning and becoming a better player.”

Bethel finally got his chance after an injury to England teammate Phil Salt. His highest score was 27 in seven innings.

In Bethel’s absence, Bengaluru went into Sunday’s IPL final. Had he remained in India for the final, Bethel might have joined the England squad two days before the first Test.

Pace bowler Jofra Archer is already missing the first Test after his stint in the IPL with Rajasthan Royals.