(Reuters) – England have included all-rounder Jacob Bethell in their test squad for the first time, with wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith missing the New Zealand series starting in November on paternity leave, the England and Wales Cricket Board said on Tuesday. Bethell, who has played five One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and two T20s for England, is the […]
(Reuters) – England have included all-rounder Jacob Bethell in their test squad for the first time, with wicketkeeper-batsman Jamie Smith missing the New Zealand series starting in November on paternity leave, the England and Wales Cricket Board said on Tuesday.
Bethell, who has played five One-Day Internationals (ODIs) and two T20s for England, is the only addition to the squad from the test series in Pakistan, which the hosts won 2-1.
Jordan Cox, who is yet to make his test debut, is in line to take on wicketkeeping duties in Smith’s absence, the ECB said in a statement.
England will play three tests against New Zealand, with the first match scheduled to begin on Nov. 28 in Christchurch, followed by games in Wellington and Hamilton.
Squad:
Ben Stokes (captain), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse , Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes
(Reporting by Chiranjit Ojha in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris)
