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Jacob Bethel is expected to be fit for the first Test match of the summer against New Zealand after the all-rounder injured his left ring finger during the Indian Premier League game at Royal Challengers Bangalore.
ECB Confirmed on Monday It has agreed with RCB for the 22-year-old to return to the UK for treatment.
Although the nature of Bethel’s injury has not been fully disclosed, doubts have been raised over whether he will play against New Zealand next week. Live on Sky Sports.
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Bethel is answering questions about his participation in the Indian Premier League while the county cricket season is underway
“Following a review of Jacob Bethel’s left ring finger injury, he will continue to be monitored in the lead-up to the first Test against New Zealand at Rothes, starting on Thursday 4 June at Lord’s, and he is expected to be fit to play in the match,” the ECB said in a statement.
If Bethel is unavailable for the first Test, England are likely to replace Somerset wicketkeeper-batsman James Reeve at No.3 in the order. Rew, who is uncapped at international level, has enjoyed some fine form in the County Championship this year, notably scoring 64 and 122 against Nottinghamshire in April.
Bethel missed RCB’s match against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday due to a finger injury. RCB sealed their place in the IPL final by beating Gujarat Titans by 92 runs on Tuesday.
Bethel is back in the UK and being assessed by ECB doctors
Bethel was unused through RCB’s first six matches of the season, but finally made his debut in April, scoring 14 runs against Gujarat Titans.
He endured a mixed season, going on to make seven appearances, his highest score being 27 against the Mumbai Indians in May.
Bethel says the IPL has improved his cricket
Bethel enjoyed success with a century at the SCG in the Winter Ashes series
Former England captain Sir Alastair Cook questioned Bethel’s decision to play cricket in the IPL rather than return home to ply his trade for Warwickshire.
Cook urged the 22-year-old to return home and play for his county ahead of England’s Test series against New Zealand and Pakistan.
“He’s not doing anything,” Cook said.
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Bethel looks ahead to a packed schedule in 2026, saying matches are more important to him than the format he plays in
“Ideally, he could come back and play for Warwickshire to help England.”
Kevin Pietersen subsequently took to social media to question Cook’s comments.
Pietersen wrote 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.”
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Bethel claimed his maiden England Test century was ‘always coming’ after scoring an unbeaten 142 on day four against Australia in Sydney.
During England’s disappointing winter Ashes series in Australia, Bethel was drafted in to replace Ollie Pope for the Boxing Day Test before scoring 154 in the second innings at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Bethel also impressed during his debut Test series outside New Zealand in 2024, scoring three half-centuries in three matches.
speaking on Sky Sports Cricket Podcast In December, Bethel explained that his cricket had improved after his initial stint in the IPL.
“Once you’re selected for the IPL, you’re not allowed to back out, and that’s the experience I’ve had in these two months – I’m a much better cricketer than when I came in,” he said.
“Learning from Virat Kohli, (coach) Andy Flower and (team director) Mo Bobat. Even incredible net bowlers to face all the time. Every ground you are in is different.
“I know I have only played two matches, but the lessons I have learned from India and the IPL have been invaluable.
“You had 50,000 people in Bengaluru, and it feels like 150,000. I’m not going to say it felt the same; the MCG is obviously bigger, but I know what I can get out of myself at times like that. On a big occasion, I knew I could keep things the same.”
England’s Upcoming Test Cricket Schedule
Home of New Zealand – June
- First Test (Thursday June 4-Monday June 8) – Lord’s, London (11am)
- Second Test (Wednesday June 17-Sunday June 21) – Kia Oval, London (11am)
- Third Test (Thursday 25 June-Monday 29 June) – Trent Bridge, Nottingham (11am)
Home to Pakistan – August and September
- First Test (Wednesday 19 August-Sunday 23 August) – Headingley, Leeds (11am)
- Second Test (Thursday 27 August – Monday 31 August) – Lord’s, London (11am)
- Third Test (Wednesday September 9-Sunday September 13) – Edgbaston, Birmingham (11am)
Away to South Africa – December and January
- First Test (Tuesday 17 December – Saturday 21 December) – Wanderers, Johannesburg
- Second Test (Thursday 26 December – Monday 30 December) – Supersport Park, Centurion
- Third Test (Sunday 3 January-Thursday 7 January) – Newlands Cricket Ground, Cape Town
Can England beat New Zealand? Watch all five days of the first summer Test match at Lord’s Live on Sky Sports. Keep track Latest cricket newsFollow up Scores and schedules And Watch or stream live cricket With Sky Sports. Didn’t get the sky? Get Sky Sports or Stream with NOW TV.
