England have suffered a major injury setback ahead of their white-ball tour of Australia, with young batter Jacob Bethell ruled out of the entire series after suffering a setback in his recovery from a right knee injury.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed on Wednesday that Bethell will return to the UK on Saturday after experiencing discomfort during a training session in Perth earlier this week. A subsequent scan ruled him out of the upcoming assignments, with the 23-year-old set to consult a specialist for further assessment.
“Jacob Bethell has been ruled out of the white-ball tour of Australia following a scan on his right knee,” the ECB said in an official statement.
“Bethell suffered a setback in his return from the injury during a training session in Perth earlier this week. With a busy winter ahead it was decided that he will return to the UK on Saturday before seeing a specialist.”
Bethell has not featured for England since their ODI series victory over India in July, during which he suffered the knee injury after scoring 91 at Lord’s. He subsequently underwent surgery in September and travelled to Australia hoping to make his international comeback.
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England have called up James Coles and Eddie Jack to their ODI squad as replacements for Bethell and fast bowler Josh Tongue. Tongue had already been ruled out of the tour after sustaining an injury to his left big toe. Coles and Jack are scheduled to arrive in Perth on Thursday as England prepare for the opening ODI.
The two replacements will add fresh options to England’s squad, with Coles bringing his all-round abilities and Jack providing another pace-bowling option.
England are scheduled to play three ODIs followed by five T20 Internationals during their Australian tour, which runs from November 13 to December 2. The three-match ODI series begins in Perth on Friday, November 13, before moving to Adelaide and Hobart. The T20I leg will begin in Melbourne on November 21 and conclude in Canberra on December 2.
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1st ODI: November 13 – Perth
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2nd ODI: November 15 – Adelaide
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3rd ODI: November 18 – Hobart
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1st T20I: November 21 – Melbourne
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2nd T20I: November 24 – Gold Coast
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3rd T20I: November 27 – Brisbane
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4th T20I: November 29 – Sydney
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5th T20I: December 2 – Canberra
