Manchester, July 3: England have handed batter Jacob Bethell a likely promotion to the top of the order after naming a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match One-Day International series against India, while also including uncapped duo James Coles and Josh Tongue.
Bethell is expected to partner Ben Duckett at the top of the innings, marking a significant change in England’s ODI batting line-up. The move comes after England experimented with multiple opening combinations over the past year without finding a settled partner for Duckett.
Phil Salt lost his place following the ICC Champions Trophy, while Jamie Smith, who replaced him, failed to cement his position after averaging just over 26 in nine innings.
During England’s most recent ODI series against Sri Lanka in January, Zak Crawley opened in one match but managed only six runs, while Rehan Ahmed was also tried as a makeshift opener.
Bethell, who has primarily batted at No. 4 in England’s recent ODI outings, has previous experience opening the innings for England Under-19s and the England Lions. The promotion is also being viewed as a potential indication of a future role higher up the order in Test cricket, where he has recently occupied the No. 3 position.
England’s revamped batting line-up is expected to feature Joe Root at No. 3, followed by captain Harry Brook and wicketkeeper-batter Jos Buttler.
Will Jacks is likely to continue in the middle order after impressing during the recent T20 World Cup, while the team management must decide whether to strengthen the batting further with Tom Banton or opt for an additional bowling option.
The bowling attack sees the return of Jofra Archer, who was rested for England’s ODI series in Sri Lanka earlier this year.
Fast bowlers Gus Atkinson and Josh Tongue have also earned recalls, giving England a pace unit that closely resembles the one used during their recent Test series against New Zealand.
Saqib Mahmood is back in contention after recovering from a knee injury that ruled him out of England’s winter ODI assignments.
Meanwhile, all-rounder Liam Dawson has retained his place, suggesting England view him as part of their long-term plans leading up to the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa. Uncapped all-rounder James Coles, who offers a similar skill set, has also received his maiden call-up.
England will be without Brydon Carse, who continues to recover from a hand injury, and Jamie Overton, sidelined with a quad injury. Carse had resumed training with the England squad ahead of the rain-abandoned opening T20I against India in Durham.
The selectors have also left out Zak Crawley and Luke Wood from the squad that toured Sri Lanka earlier this year.
India have named a full-strength squad for the 50-over series, with captain Rohit Sharma, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and senior batter Virat Kohli all included, subject to fitness.
The three-match ODI series begins at Edgbaston on July 14 before moving to Cardiff on July 16 and concluding at Lord’s on July 19.
England ODI squad: Harry Brook (captain), Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Jos Buttler, Will Jacks, Tom Banton, James Coles, Sam Curran, Liam Dawson, Rehan Ahmed, Adil Rashid, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson, Saqib Mahmood and Josh Tongue. (Agencies)
