Injured Bethell to miss Champions Trophy

After playing their first one-day international against India on Thursday, England’s Jacob Bethell picked up a hamstring injury.

Bethell, 21, was ruled out of England’s XI for Sunday’s defeat in the second ODI in Cuttack and, although not officially confirmed by England, is set to miss the tournament which begins on 19 February in Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates.

“It is really disappointing for him”, said captain Jos Buttler.

“He has been really exciting player. It’s unfortunate that he won’t be able to recover from injury.

Tom Banton, 26, has initially been called up for the third ODI against India, which will be played on Wednesday.

Bethell, who has impressed across all formats since making his debut last September, scored a battling fifty in England’s four-wicket defeat in Nagpur. He also took 1-18 from three overs.

In addition to the last two T20 matches in India and the first two ODIs, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith was ruled out of the series’ final two calf matches by a calf issue.

England are hopeful that he will be fit and he kept wicket during Sunday morning warm-ups.

Banton’s most recent of his six ODIs took place in 2020. He has also played 14 T20s, most recently in 2022.

Having caught the eye as a teenager in domestic cricket, Banton’s first foray into internationals was underwhelming, with three fifties across his 20 innings.

He is in form at the time of his recall, however.