LONDON: Warwickshire all-rounder Jacob Bethell received maiden call-up as the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming away Test series against New Zealand.
England made only one change to their squad, which suffered a 2-1 series defeat against Pakistan as wicketkeeper batter Jamie Smith is expecting the birth of his first child.
“Wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith will miss the tour as he takes paternity leave for the birth of his first child, with Cox in line to take on wicketkeeping duties and the opportunity of winning his first Test cap,” shared ECB in a statement.
Smith’s absence paved the way for 21-year-old Jacob Bethell to earn his maiden call-up in the format.
The attacking left-handed batter and slow left-arm orthodox bowler, has made his international debut, when he represented England in white-ball series against Australia this summer.
Bethell is currently with the England white-ball squad in the Caribbean and, along with Rehan Ahmed and Jordan Cox, will join the Test team following their commitments against the West Indies.
Prior to the three-match Test series, a two-day warm-up match is scheduled between New Zealand Cricket XI versus England XI at Sir John Davies Oval, Queenstown from 23-24 November.
England Squad for New Zealand Tests:
Ben Stokes (Durham) (Captain), Rehan Ahmed (Leicestershire), Gus Atkinson (Surrey), Shoaib Bashir (Somerset), Jacob Bethell (Warwickshire), Harry Brook (Yorkshire), Brydon Carse (Durham), Jordan Cox (Essex), Zak Crawley (Kent), Ben Duckett (Nottinghamshire), Jack Leach (Somerset), Ollie Pope (Surrey), Matthew Potts (Durham), Joe Root (Yorkshire), Olly Stone (Nottinghamshire), Chris Woakes (Warwickshire).
Tour Itinerary:
Two-day warm-up: New Zealand Cricket XI v England XI, 23-24 November 2024, Sir John Davies Oval, Queenstown
First Test: 28 November-2 December 2024, Hagley Oval, Christchurch
Second Test: 6-10 December 2024, Basin Reserve, Wellington
Third Test: 14-18 December 2024, Seddon Park, Hamilton
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