England have named a 12-player squad for the first Test against New Zealand at Lord's, with a decision on Sonny Baker's debut pending weather forecasts. Shoaib Bashir is confirmed as the frontline spinner.
England batter Jacob Bethell has recovered from a finger injury and is available for the first Test against New Zealand. He cut short his IPL stint to be assessed by England's medical team and is set to bat at No. 3.
Jofra Archer is reportedly unbothered by criticism in England for prioritizing IPL commitments over the first Test against New Zealand, according to Rajasthan Royals assistant coach Trevor Penny. Meanwhile, Jacob Bethell has returned home from the IPL due to a finger injury.
Jacob Bethell has withdrawn from IPL 2026 due to a finger injury, raising concerns for England's Test series against New Zealand. The 22-year-old batter will return to the UK for assessment, with his availability for the Lord's Test uncertain.
England batter Jacob Bethell will return to the UK from the Indian Premier League for assessment of a finger injury. The 22-year-old's availability for England's Test series against New Zealand is uncertain.
England batter Jacob Bethell has returned to the UK after sustaining a finger injury playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL. The 22-year-old will be assessed by the England medical team ahead of the first Test against New Zealand.
Michael Vaughan advised Jacob Bethell to leave the IPL and return to England for assessment due to a finger injury and uncertainty over his playing time with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Vaughan emphasized prioritizing national duty ahead of England's Test summer.
England batter Jacob Bethell is undergoing a finger injury assessment ahead of the first Test against New Zealand. The 22-year-old missed an IPL match for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming Test series.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru's Jacob Bethell had a bizarre incident during an IPL 2026 match against Kolkata Knight Riders, accidentally dropping his gold chain while being dismissed, which was later returned by Devdutt Padikkal. RCB won the match led by Virat Kohli's unbeaten century.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) defeated Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2026, led by Virat Kohli's unbeaten 105. Jacob Bethell had a bizarre moment, dropping his gold chain while getting dismissed, later retrieved by Devdutt Padikkal.
Cricket legend AB de Villiers has drawn a striking parallel between England's Jacob Bethell and India's 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, predicting both left-handers will become future superstars. While Sooryavanshi is dazzling in IPL 2026 with Rajasthan Royals, Bethell, now with RCB, is showing immense potential. De Villiers believes their natural talent, coupled with experience, will make them unstoppable.
Cricket legend AB de Villiers has drawn a striking parallel between England's Jacob Bethell and India's 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, predicting both left-handers will become future superstars. While Sooryavanshi is dazzling in IPL 2026 with Rajasthan Royals, Bethell, now with RCB, is showing immense potential. De Villiers believes their natural talent, coupled with experience, will make them unstoppable.
Former India captain Kris Srikkanth suggests Jacob Bethell should bat in the middle order for Royal Challengers Bengaluru, advocating for Devdutt Padikkal to open alongside Virat Kohli. Srikkanth believes this change will address RCB's lack of an explosive top-order presence and bolster their middle order, which has struggled against quality bowling.
Former England captain Alastair Cook defended his advice to Jacob Bethell regarding IPL opportunities, emphasizing the need for game time over just learning from top players. Cook acknowledged Bethell has since played more, but reiterated that public criticism of the IPL is unlikely due to financial incentives and career implications, suggesting both viewpoints can be valid.
Alastair Cook reignited his debate with Kevin Pietersen over Jacob Bethell's IPL stint. Cook believes the young batter needs game time in county cricket over sitting on the bench in India. Pietersen countered, asserting Cook lacks understanding of the IPL's developmental benefits. Cook reiterated his stance, emphasizing playing matches over observation, despite the IPL's financial allure.
Alastair Cook reignited his debate with Kevin Pietersen over Jacob Bethell's IPL stint. Cook believes the young batter needs game time in county cricket over sitting on the bench in India. Pietersen countered, asserting Cook lacks understanding of the IPL's developmental benefits. Cook reiterated his stance, emphasizing playing matches over observation, despite the IPL's financial allure.
England's Jacob Bethell is gaining valuable experience at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, learning the art of batting from Virat Kohli. Bethell has taken on a larger role in the team following Phil Salt's departure due to a finger injury.
Young England batter Jacob Bethell is gaining valuable experience at Royal Challengers Bengaluru, citing Virat Kohli's mentorship as key to his growth. Bethell has taken on a larger role in the lineup following Phil Salt's return to the UK for a finger injury.
Aakash Chopra expresses concern over Jacob Bethell's quiet start for RCB, noting his inability to convert starts despite opportunities. He also questions Romario Shepherd's unclear role and effectiveness. For Gujarat Titans, Chopra highlights their top-order dependency and struggles to score in the death overs, posing significant challenges for the upcoming match.
Aakash Chopra expresses concern over Jacob Bethell's quiet start for RCB, noting his inability to convert starts despite opportunities. He also questions Romario Shepherd's unclear role and effectiveness. For Gujarat Titans, Chopra highlights their top-order dependency and struggles to score in the death overs, posing significant challenges for the upcoming match.
Chasing 206, RCB got an early setback when Jacob Bethell was dismissed quickly. After that, Kohli and Devdutt took control and added 115 runs for the second wicket, putting the home side in a strong position.
In a big blow to RCB, their opener Phil Salt was not available for the match due to injury and Jacob Bethell came into the side in his place.
Kevin Pietersen has defended Jacob Bethell's continued presence at the IPL after Alastair Cook criticized the young England batter for not playing cricket since March. Cook suggested Bethell should return to Warwickshire to help his development, but Pietersen responded that Cook has "NO IDEA" about the benefits of being around the world's best players. The 22-year-old Bethell, who made his maiden century in the Sydney Test in January, is yet to feature for Royal Challengers Bengaluru this season.
