RCB’s latest overseas star Jacob Bethell handed England Test debut vs New Zealand
England’s young all-rounder Jacob Bethell is set to make his much-anticipated Test debut against New Zealand in the opening match of the three-Test series at Hagley Oval on Thursday.
The 21-year-old, who bats left-handed and bowls left-arm spin, has been drafted into the XI at number three, marking his first appearance at that position in first-class cricket. Bethell’s Test debut comes on the heels of his lucrative acquisition by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the IPL auction. Purchased for ?2.6 crore, Bethell drew bidding interest from Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings before RCB secured his services. His hard-hitting abilities and versatility make him a valuable addition to the star-studded franchise.
Bethell’s inclusion comes as part of a reshuffled England side, with regular wicketkeeper Jordan Cox sidelined due to a thumb injury. Ollie Pope will don the gloves, batting at number six, while Bethell slots into the pivotal first-drop position ahead of veteran Joe Root, who is set to play his 150th Test.
Born in Barbados and now representing England, Bethell has been turning heads with his explosive performances in limited-overs cricket. The left-handed batter recently showcased his potential during England’s T20I series against the West Indies, where he struck two half-centuries, raising his T20I tally to 173 runs at an impressive average of 57.66 and a strike rate of 167.96 across seven matches.
His domestic T20 stats are equally promising, with 909 runs from 52 matches at a strike rate of 142.47, including six half-centuries. Despite these accomplishments, the transition to the longest format poses a fresh challenge for Bethell, who averages 25.44 in first-class cricket and is yet to score a century in any format.
England’s Test line-up reflects adjustments prompted by Cox’s injury. Pope, who has prior experience as a wicketkeeper in Tests, will temporarily fill the role until a specialist replacement arrives from the UK. Bethell’s promotion to number three reshapes the batting order, maintaining stability for the rest of the lineup, which remains unchanged from the series finale against Pakistan in October.
With a green-top wicket expected in Christchurch, England has overhauled its bowling attack to capitalize on the conditions. The team hopes that Bethell’s debut, alongside the experienced core led by Root and Pope, will set a strong tone for the series.
England team: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope, Ben Stokes (captain), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir.