Bajan Bethell in line for possible England debut

The England Men’s selection panel has announced the squads for the upcoming Vitality IT20 series and the Metro Bank ODI series against Australia, set to begin next month.

Among their number is 20-year-old Jacob Bethell. Bethell was born and raised in Barbados, where he attended Harrison College. After signing with Warwickshire in 2021, aged just 17, the spin-bowling all-rounder was named to the England team for the ICC Under-19 World Cup, helping his team make the final.

The ODI squad marks the return of another Bajan, Jofra Archer to the 50-over format for the first time since March 2023.

After dealing with injuries in recent years, Archer has gradually been reintegrated into England’s white-ball setup. He has already made a comeback in T20Is and was a part of the England squad at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

The three-match Vitality IT20 series will kick off at the Utilita Bowl, Southampton, on 11 September 2024. Following this, England will play five Metro Bank ODIs, starting at Trent Bridge on 19 September.

England Men’s IT20 Squad:

• Jos Buttler (Lancashire) – Captain
• Jofra Archer (Sussex)
• Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire)
• Brydon Carse (Durham)
• Jordan Cox (Essex)
• Sam Curran (Surrey)
• Josh Hull (Leicestershire)
• Will Jacks (Surrey)
• Liam Livingstone (Lancashire)
• Saqib Mahmood (Lancashire)
• Dan Mousley (Warwickshire)
• Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
• Phil Salt (Lancashire)
• Reece Topley (Surrey)
• John Turner (Hampshire)

England Men’s ODI Squad:

• Jos Buttler (Lancashire) – Captain
• Jofra Archer (Sussex)
• Gus Atkinson (Surrey)
• Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire)
• Harry Brook (Yorkshire)
• Brydon Carse (Durham)
• Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire)
• Josh Hull (Leicestershire)
• Will Jacks (Surrey)
• Matthew Potts (Durham)
• Adil Rashid (Yorkshire)
• Phil Salt (Lancashire)
• Jamie Smith (Surrey)
• Reece Topley (Surrey)
• John Turner (Hampshire)

Five uncapped players have been selected for the 15-strong IT20 squad: Essex batter Jordan Cox, Warwickshire pair Bethell and Dan Mousley, Leicestershire seamer Josh Hull, and Hampshire fast bowler John Turner.

Durham’s Brydon Carse returns to the England senior squads after completing his three-month suspension from all cricket.

In the ODI squad, players from the current Test squad – Gus Atkinson, Harry Brook, Matthew Potts, Jamie Smith – have been included as England start their preparation ahead of the ICC Champions Trophy, which gets underway early next year. Josh Hull, who was added to the Test squad yesterday, is included alongside uncapped players Bethell and Turner.

(ECB/ICC)