Jacob Bethell: England batter out of Australia white-ball tour and doubt for Test series in South Africa

Jacob Bethell has been ruled out of England's entire white-ball tour of Australia after suffering a setback on his return from injury and could now be a doubt for the Tests in South Africa.

Batter and spin bowler Bethell has not played since scoring 91 in the final one-day international against India at Lord's in July after sustaining a right knee problem that required surgery.

The 23-year-old was hoping to return for the three ODIs against Australia, which start in Perth on Friday, and the five T20 internationals that follow, but will now head back to England after a recurrence of the injury in training and is poised to see a specialist.

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On Monday, Bethell was included in England's Test squad for the three-match tour of South Africa from December 17.

Fast bowler Josh Tongue had already been already ruled out of the Australia fixtures due to a toe injury.

England have called up uncapped Hampshire seamer Eddie Jack and Sussex all-rounder James Coles into the ODI squad as replacements.

Jack and Coles were already part of the T20 party.

In Bethell's absence from the ODI side, Tom Banton has formed a successful opening partnership with Ben Duckett, so his return to the XI straightaway in that format was perhaps unlikely.

If the left-hander also misses the red-ball assignments in South Africa - live in full on Sky Sports, with the opening game at Wanderers in Johannesburg - then it will ease a selection dilemma for England.

Jordan Cox struck three half-centuries in as many matches after deputising for Bethell at No 3 in the 3-0 Test rout of Pakistan.

Should Bethell be fit to face the Proteas, there may only be space for three of him, Cox, Emilio Gay and Dan Lawrence in the XI.

Atherton: How easy will it be for Bethell to slip back in?

Sky Sports Cricket's Michael Atherton on Jacob Bethell:

"I think it is a precautionary thing given how busy the winter is but the concern is how little cricket Bethell's had and therefore how easy is it for him to slip back into the team?

"Perhaps this makes it a bit more difficult but our best wishes to him. Let's hope it is not a significant setback.

"There is a bit of Lions cricket just ahead of the main tour of South Africa. That's the good thing for him.

"There's a camp in Pietermaritzburg and four-day Test against South Africa A so there's an opportunity there once he's fit.

"If he is fit and has had game time, then I think Bethell should bat at No 3 in the Test series. If he runs out of time, he will just have to sit on the sidelines."

Schedule for England's tour of Australia

ODIs 3.30am UK time, with T20s 8.15am UK time

• First ODI: Friday, November 13 (Perth)
• Second ODI: Sunday November 15 (Adelaide)
• Third ODI: Wednesday November 18 (Hobart)
• First T20I: Saturday November 21 (Melbourne)
• Second T20I: Tuesday November 24 (Carrara)
• Third T20I: Friday November 27 (Brisbane)
• Fourth T20I: Sunday November 29 (Sydney)
• Fifth T20I: Wednesday December 2 (Canberra)

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Jacob Bethell: England batter out of Australia white-ball tour and doubt for Test series in South Africa