Bethell is missing this one-off Test against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge to play in the Indian Premier League having landed a £250,000 deal with Royal Challengers Bangalore following his stellar debut Test series against New Zealand last winter.
That has put Pope, the incumbent No 3 before that series who filled in as a wicketkeeper-batter at six in New Zealand, under pressure.
Ollie Pope’s Test place could be under threat (Photo: Getty)It seems, though, the decision might have already been made given Stokes’ candour on the eve of this one-off, four-day Test against Zimbabwe.
square CRICKET England admit they have a PR problem – here’s how they can fix it
Read More
“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. So, I think you put two and two together, you probably know what’s going to happen.
Bethell has yet to score a century in 23 first-class games, with his highest score of 96 coming in the second Test against New Zealand in Wellington last December.
Bethell’s strong backfoot game, honed during a childhood spent in Barbados, is ideally suited to Australian conditions and his aggressive approach is in sync with the aggressive Bazball approach that’s become a hallmark of Stokes’ swashbuckling team.
His position as vice-captain complicates matters, with Stokes confirming here in Nottingham he retains that role for the Zimbabwe Test.
square CRICKET Sport AnalysisWhy England's latest cricket squad should scare Zak Crawley
Read More
The opener’s returns against India are far-from spectacular, with an average of 31.22 in nine Tests. Yet his average in Ashes cricket,
And his form during the 2023 home Ashes summer which included a magnificent 189 in the rain-hit drawn fourth Test at Old Trafford underlined his preponderance to up his game against the Australian attack.
Bethell’s emergence is part of a wider effort by England to take the team to another level during the two huge upcoming series.
“Everyone knows we have got improvement to do, it’s very, very exciting we are where we are as a team at the moment. Everyone understands and knows we’ve definitely got another level to go to.”
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Why England want Bethell back in the XI – and who is at risk of being dropped )
Also on site :