Jacob Bethell and Sam Cook have reportedly been released from England’s squad for the first Test, following non-selection. Both will return to County Championship duty to maintain red-ball form.
Match Overview
All-rounder Jacob Bethell and fast bowler Sam Cook have reportedly been released from England’s 14-man squad for the first Test at Headingley, Leeds, against India, following non-selection. Both players will return to play in the County Championship to maintain red-ball form and fitness. While Bethell will represent Warwickshire, Cook will be in action for Essex.
Bethell, who was a contender for the No. 3 spot in the playing XI, was not picked as the experienced Ollie Pope got the nod. The 21-year-old, who had a memorable maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, had carried that form into the limited-overs series against West Indies, scoring 82 in the first ODI and smashing crucial cameos of 23* (23), 26 (10), and 36* (16) in the T20I series, which England won 3-0. However, according to the BBC, he will now reunite with his Warwickshire mates and look to maintain his red-ball rhythm.
Meanwhile, Cook has also been released by the Three Lions after missing out on a place in the Headingley XI. England opted to recall veteran seam-bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes, who returned from an ankle injury that had kept him out of international cricket since December last year. Woakes’ return meant there was no room for Cook, with Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue being the other frontline pacers in the XI.
Bethell and Cook would want to continue performing well at the domestic level and hope to get back into the England side for the games to come.
The left-handed batter had a brilliant start to his Test career, scoring three fifties in as many matches against New Zealand last year. He was the frontrunner to start against India, but Ollie Pope’s blistering 171 off 166 balls against Zimbabwe last month has forced the youngster to wait for his chance to face the Asian giants. Cook, on the other hand, made his international debut in the Test against Zimbabwe. However, he flattered to deceive, finishing with figures of 1/119 in 31 overs.
The first Test between India and England got underway on Friday, June 20. India have started the game strongly after being asked to bat first by Ben Stokes. The tourists have reached 159/2 at the end of 39 overs in front of a packed stadium in the picturesque setting at Headingley, Leeds.
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