England's Jacob Bethell has been ruled out of the white-ball tour of Australia and is a big doubt for the Test tour of South Africa after the recurrence of a knee injury.
Bethell has not played for England since July, when he felt discomfort in his right knee while making 91 in a one-day international against India at Lord's. He had surgery in September and looked set to return in Australia, where the series begins with the first of three one-day internationals in Perth on Friday.
The 23-year-old did not play in the warm-up match against Western Australia at the weekend. He then suffered what England described as a "setback" in training earlier this week. He underwent a scan and will return home to see a specialist.
England have called up Sussex all-rounder James Coles as cover. Uncapped seamer Eddie Jack has also been added to the one-day squad, replacing Josh Tongue, who was earlier ruled out with a toe injury. After the three one-day matches, England play five Twenty20 internationals in Australia, before the Test series in South Africa starts on December 17.
Bethell's continued absence is a major concern for England given the time he has already missed and his importance in all three formats. He has played 69 times for England since making his international debut in September 2024, and his 154 in the final Test against Australia in January was one of the few highlights of England's Ashes tour.
The Warwickshire player was named in the squad for the three Tests in South Africa on Monday. At the time, selector Marcus North admitted England did not know who would make way from the side that beat Pakistan 3-0 in the home summer to fit Bethell back in. Opener Emilio Gay and Jordan Cox, who bats at number three, both came into the Test side for that series.
Now both could get further chances to prove their long-term Test credentials. Ollie Pope, who was recalled to the Test squad as the spare batter in the summer while Bethell was absent, is due to be with England Lions in South Africa on a tour that overlaps with the Test series. James Rew and uncapped Durham opener Ben McKinney, both in strong form on England Lions' white-ball tour of the West Indies, are other options.
