Jacob Bethell joins England Test squad for New Zealand tour as replacement for Jamie Smith

Warwickshire’s promising allrounder Jacob Bethell has been called up to England’s Test squad for the upcoming tour of New Zealand, filling the vacancy left by Jamie Smith, who will miss the series due to paternity leave. Bethell, who turned 21 this week, impressed in his recent white-ball outings against Australia and now steps into the Test arena despite having limited experience in first-class cricket.

Bethell’s selection is part of England’s recent approach of focusing on players with high potential rather than traditional metrics like averages. He joins a squad that also features young talents like Josh Hull, Rehan Ahmed, and Shoaib Bashir, reflecting England’s commitment to nurturing players with a high “ceiling.”

Though Bethell has yet to make a first-class century, his left-arm spin and adaptable batting style make him a valuable addition. His selection marks the realization of his ambition to play Test cricket, a goal he expressed last month. “Test cricket has always been my dream,” Bethell said, emphasizing his desire to succeed in all formats for England.

The three-Test series begins on November 28 at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval, followed by matches in Wellington and Hamilton.