England is set to kick off their new white-ball era against Australia by entrusting three rookies, including ‘superstar’ all-rounder Jacob Bethell.
Bethell, Jordan Cox, and Jamie Overton will make their T20 debuts at the Rose Bowl tonight. They will be playing under the leadership of Phil Salt, as Jos Buttler has been sidelined due to a calf injury for the three-match series.
Jordan Cox, aged 23, has been a part of England squads for the past few years and will make his international debut batting at number three. Meanwhile, Jamie Overton, who is expected to bat at seven, will not be able to bowl due to a back injury.
The most notable selection is 20-year-old Bethell, who hails from Barbados and was a key player in the talented England Under-19 side, including Rehan Ahmed. The team finished as runners-up at the 2022 World Cup.
Bethell, a left-handed middle-order batsman who also bowls finger-spin, is among the young players chosen to rejuvenate England’s white-ball squads. The selectors see him as a replacement for the recently retired Moeen Ali.