Jacob Bethell has been named in England’s Test squad for the upcoming three-match series against New Zealand, stepping in for Jamie Smith, who is missing the tour due to the upcoming birth of his first child.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) made the announcement on Tuesday, October 29.
Bethell’s inclusion marks the only adjustment to the squad that recently toured Pakistan, where England experienced a 2-1 series defeat.
Alongside Bethell, wicketkeeper Jordan Cox is poised for his Test debut, being the sole wicket-keeper selected in the squad for this tour.
A versatile batting all-rounder, Bethell made his England debut in T20I and ODI cricket earlier this year against Australia.
Notably, he contributed a dynamic 24-ball 44 in the second T20I, supporting Liam Livingstone as England squared the T20 series. Bethell has shown promise in his First-Class career with Warwickshire, amassing 738 runs across 20 matches.
The full England squad for the New Zealand tour: Ben Stokes (C), Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Rehan Ahmed, Shoaib Bashir, Gus Atkinson, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Olly Stone, and Chris Woakes.