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MapJacob Bethell Ruled Out of England’s Australia White-Ball Tour With Knee Setback
“is a huge doubt for the Test tour of South Africa following the recurrence of a knee injury.”
“his participation in the Test series in South Africa starting in December is also now called into question.”
Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL · Cropped for layout
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Bethell ruled out of England's Australia white-ball tour due to knee injury setback. Injury recurrence after surgery in August threatens South Africa Test series availability.
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Bethell ruled out
Jacob Bethell was ruled out of England's white-ball tour of Australia after a scan on his right knee, and England said the 23-year-old suffered a setback in his return during a training session in Perth earlier this week. England's squad changes followed the injury setback, with the England and Wales Cricket Board calling up Sussex all-rounder James Coles and uncapped seamer Eddie Jack as replacements, while fast bowler Josh Tongue had already been ruled out with a toe injury. England had planned for Bethell to return for the three-match ODI series that begins with the first of three one-day internationals in Perth on Friday, followed by five T20s in Australia.
England's Test tour of South Africa begins on 17 December, but Bethell's continued absence became a major concern for England and raised doubts over his participation. Test captain Joe Root told BBC Sport, "It's disappointing for Jacob," as he said he hoped "it's not too serious and he's not out for too long."
ODI and T20 timeline
England's tour schedule placed the first ODI in Perth on Friday, and the ECB move meant Bethell would miss the three ODIs and the five T20 internationals in Australia. Bethell's recurrence would now see him miss all of the three one-day internationals and five T20s in Australia, and his participation in the Test series in South Africa starting in December was also called into question. The decision came after a scan of Bethell's right knee, and England would return him to the UK on Saturday before seeing a specialist.
James Coles and Eddie Jack were due to arrive in Perth on Thursday as replacements for Bethell and Tongue, with the tour continuing through the ODI and T20 windows. The England and Wales Cricket Board statement described the plan as Bethell returning to the UK on Saturday before seeing a specialist, after which England would decide on his next steps.
South Africa selection stakes
England's Test squad situation now hinged on whether Bethell could recover in time for the first Test against South Africa that starts on 17 December, with the Guardian saying his chances may hinge on whether he could feature in a solitary warm-up match in Durban a week earlier. Bethell underwent surgery on his right knee at the end of August and reported swelling in the same knee during early fitness work on tour, with scan results sent back to his specialist in the UK. Bethell was named in the squad for the three Tests in South Africa on Monday, and it described the selection dilemma around who would make way from the team that beat Pakistan 3-0 during the home summer.
“Hopefully it's not too serious and he's not out for too long.”
Opener Emilio Gay and Jordan Cox, who came into the England Test side for that series, could be set for further opportunities, while Ollie Pope was recalled as the spare batter in Bethell's absence. Joe Root said, "Hopefully it's not too serious and he's not out for too long," as England prepared for the Australia ODIs and then the Test series in South Africa.