Following their non-selection, all-rounder Jacob Bethell and fast bowler Sam Cook are said to have been dropped from England’s 14-man team for the first Test against India at Headingley in Leeds. Both players will compete in the County Championship to maintain their red-ball shape and conditioning. While Bethell will represent Warwickshire, Cook will play for Essex.
Bethell, who was a strong contender for the No. 3 slot in the playing XI, was passed over in favour of the seasoned Ollie Pope. The 21-year-old, who had a memorable maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) season with Royal Challengers Bengaluru, carried his form into the limited-overs series against West Indies, scoring 82 in the first ODI and making crucial cameos of 23* (23), 26 (10), and 36* (16) in the T20I series, which England won 3-0. According to the BBC, he will now regroup with his Warwickshire teammates and attempt to retain his red-ball rhythm.
Meanwhile, Cook was released by the Three Lions after failing to make the Headingley XI. England chose to revive experienced seam-bowling all-rounder Chris Woakes, who had been absent from international cricket since December of last year due to an ankle injury. Woakes’ comeback left no room for Cook in the XI, which also included Brydon Carse and Josh Tongue as frontline pacers.
Jacob Bethell and Cook would like to continue performing well domestically in the hopes of returning to the England squad for future games.
The left-handed batter enjoyed a strong start to his Test career, getting three fifties in three matches against New Zealand last year. He was expected to start against India, but Ollie Pope’s scorching 171 off 166 balls against Zimbabwe last month has made the teenager to wait for his opportunity to face the Asian giants. Cook, on the other hand, made his international debut in a test against Zimbabwe. He flattered to deceive, however, finishing with 1/119 in 31 overs.
The first Test match between India and England began on Friday, June 20. Ben Stokes asked India to bat first, and they started the game aggressively. The visitors scored 159/2 after 39 overs in front of a crowded stadium in the scenic backdrop of Headingley, Leeds.
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