- Smith is expected to miss the final two Tests to attend the birth of his child
- Bethell has recently played at international level in both one-day and T20 matches
- Jordan Cox will keep the wicket in place of Smith, with Bethell used as cover
England have added to their list of surprise selections by picking the uncapped Jacob Bethell in their Test squad for next month’s tour of New Zealand.
Warwickshire’s Bethell has made seven appearances at one-day and Twenty20 international level in recent weeks and impressed with a 24-ball 44 to help England to victory over Australia in Cardiff in just his second appearance.
The 21-year-old will be included in the side named as ‘batting bolter’ later this week, to cover for Jamie Smith’s absence for the final two Tests of three. Smith told Mail Sport earlier this month that he would miss part of the tour to witness the birth of his son in early December.
Jordan Cox, from Essex, was the reserve squad player during the Test series in Pakistan and is in line to take over the wicket gloves when Smith is unavailable.
Bethell is yet to reach a first-class hundred and has a modest career average of 25.44, but is the latest example of a player being identified for what they are by the England hierarchy of general manager Rob Key, coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes. can instead of what they have already achieved.
England will call up Jacob Bethell for the Test tour of New Zealand in their latest surprise squad
Bethell will travel as batting cover for Jamie Smith (left), who will leave during the tour to attend the birth of his child
Ben Stokes’ team wants to recover from a disappointing defeat against Pakistan
Shoaib Bashir and Tom Hartley were picked on this basis for the Test tour of India earlier this year, while the introductions of Smith, his Surrey colleague Gus Atkinson and Durham’s Brydon Carse were to some extent because the selectors felt their games were more appropriate would be. Test on provincial cricket.
Barbados-born Bethell is currently on a limited English tour of the Caribbean, where he will be joined by Cox and Rehan Ahmed, who continue traveling following their involvement in Pakistan.