England prepare to unleash their boy from Barbados, Jacob Bethell, against Australia as new white-ball era begins with talented trio hungry ahead of T20 debuts in exciting clash

England begin the new white-ball era against Australia by relying on a trio of rookies, including ‘superstar’ all-rounder Jacob Bethell.

Bethell, Jordan Cox and Jamie Overton make their T20 debuts at the Rose Bowl tonight in a team led by Phil Salt after Jos Buttler was ruled out of the three-match series with a calf injury.

Cox, 23, has played for several England teams in recent years and will make his international debut as a third batsman. Overton is scheduled to start as a seventh batsman but will be unable to bowl due to a back injury.

The most notable choice, however, comes from 20-year-old Bethell, who was born in Barbados and played for the talented England Under-19 team, which also included Rehan Ahmed, and finished runners-up at the 2022 World Cup.

Bethell, a left-handed batsman who plays with finger-spin, is part of a group of young players in England’s white-ball teams who the selection committee sees as a direct replacement for the recently retired Moeen Ali.

Seventy-six days after their humiliating defeat to India in Guyana, a new era begins for England’s white-ball teams on Wednesday night

England prepare for an epic Twenty20 clash against Australia in Southampton and will be placing their faith in youth

England’s interim head coach Marcus Trescothick has given several rising stars their debuts

“I see a super talented kid finding his way in the game,” interim head coach Marcus Trescothick said when asked about Bethell.

“I coached him through the Under 19s and it was really clear to me that he’s going to be a superstar. I think you’re going to enjoy watching him grow over the next few years.”

And Trescothick insisted the team’s future approach will be ‘Bazball’ in coloured clothing under current Test head coach Brendon

McCullum, who will take full charge of the white-ball team when they travel to India in January before heading to Pakistan for the 2025 Champions Trophy.

“I’ve spoken to Baz (McCullum) a lot since the decision was made,” Trescothick said.

‘We try to bring a lot of what we do to the Test matches: same message, same language, same approach, and we’ll continue with that.

“We’re trying to trickle that down so the guys get a feel for where it’s going. I’ll be very similar and prepare in the same way for when Brendon takes over,” he added.

Jordan Cox, 23, has been included in the England squads in recent years and will make his England debut as a batsman at three

Bethell, 20, is a ‘super talented kid’ according to interim head coach Trescothick

Part of the shift is a reduction in dressing room staff, as with the Test team. England will use only Richard Dawson, Carl Hopkinson and Michael Yardy as additional coaches for matches against Australia.

The lack of staff was perfectly illustrated by the uncapped Dan Mousley having to bowl himself into the indoor nets of the

Rose Bowl and would regularly walk down after a few deliveries to reset the machine, before being asked to stop by ECB staff to allow the press conferences to take place. It was a conversation that ended with Mousley innocently asking what time he could come back.

Australia also have a youthful feel following David Warner’s international retirement, while Josh Hazlewood is the only one of the Aussies’ three big quicks to feature in the T20 leg of this tour. Mitchell Starc won’t play until after the ODIs and Pat Cummins has been rested for the tour.

Captain Mitchell Marsh insisted he doesn’t see it as a transitional period. But just a year after a gruelling Ashes series on these shores and with just a year to go until England travel Down Under, Marsh admitted there is no love lost between the two sides.

“Look, it’s Australia versus England. It’s always a tough battle,” Marsh said. “Anytime you play England, no matter what format, we’re always excited.”