Bethell ruled out of Australia tour and doubtful for South Africa

Summarised from 4 outlets · 5 reports · Updated 11 Nov, 16:32 · Archive

Jacob Bethell has been ruled out of England's white-ball tour of Australia after suffering a setback with his right knee during training in Perth this week. The 23-year-old, who underwent surgery in September following an injury sustained while scoring 91 in a one-day international against India at Lord's in July, travelled to Australia hoping to return for the three ODIs starting on Friday and the five T20 internationals that follow. However, a scan revealed a recurrence of the problem and he will now fly home for assessment by a specialist.

Bethell has not played for England since July. The Guardian reports that early fitness work on tour saw him report swelling in the knee. Sky Sports notes that Tom Banton has formed a successful opening partnership with Ben Duckett in his absence, so his immediate return to the ODI side would have been unlikely in any case.

The injury is a significant blow to England's plans. Bethell was named in the squad for the Test series in South Africa beginning on 17 December, where he was expected to return to the red-ball team after his lengthy absence. His continued unavailability raises serious concerns about his fitness for those matches, though The Guardian suggests he may feature in a warm-up match in Durban a week before the first Test begins.

England have called up replacements following Bethell's withdrawal. Sussex all-rounder James Coles and uncapped Hampshire seamer Eddie Jack, both already named in the T20 squad, are being added to the ODI party. They are travelling from England Lions duty in the West Indies to join the squad in time for the second and third ODIs. Fast bowler Josh Tongue had previously been ruled out of the Australia tour with a toe injury.

How it is being reported

• Bethell faces fitness race for South Africa Tests after being ruled out of Australia tourAll-rounder sent back to UK with swelling on knee South Africa Test series begins on 17 December Jacob Bethell is battling to be fit for England’s Test series in South Africa next month after being ruled out of the white-ball tour of Australia. The 23-year-old underwent surgery on his right knee at the end of August and while he was not expected to be ready for the one-day internationals that start in Perth on Friday, it was hoped he would feature in the Twenty20s that follow. Continue reading...The Guardian · 11 Nov, 10:19
• England's Bethell out of Australia tour and a doubt for South Africa TestsJacob 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.Sky Sports · 11 Nov, 10:17
• Jacob Bethell emerges as doubt for South Africa Tests after injury set-backBethell has been ruled out of the white-ball tour of Australia and will see a specialistIndependent Sport · 11 Nov, 10:07
• Jacob Bethell knee injury flare-up rules him out of England series in AustraliaBethell will fly back to England for assessment by a specialist.Independent Sport · 11 Nov, 10:00
• Bethell out of Australia trip and doubt for SAJacob Bethell is ruled out of England’s white-ball tour of Australia and is a huge doubt for the Test tour of South Africa following the recurrence of a knee injury.BBC News · 11 Nov, 10:00

In this story: Jacob Bethell · England · Australia · South Africa · India · Lord's · Perth · Sussex

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log