RCB's Jacob Bethell To Make Test Debut Against New Zealand

November 26, 2024: It looks like England is fielding a fresh and exciting lineup for the first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch!

The inclusion of Jacob Bethell is certainly a bold move, as he’s uncapped in Test cricket but has shown strong promise in limited-overs formats. His debut at number 3 will be a significant challenge, especially with his relative inexperience in the red-ball format, but his strong performances in the Under-19 World Cup and the white-ball series give him a solid base to build on.

The decision to have Ollie Pope behind the stumps in place of Jamie Smith is interesting, especially given Pope's usual role as a batter. It shows the adaptability of the squad, though it will be important for him to adjust quickly to the wicketkeeping role in a Test match setting.

Ben Stokes leading the side is no surprise, and with the trio of pace bowlers—Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, and Brydon Carse—alongside the left-arm spinner Shoaib Bashir, England’s bowling lineup looks balanced and capable of taking on the New Zealand batsmen.

New Zealand will definitely have the motivation to win the series 3-0 to secure a spot in the World Test Championship final, so the stakes are high for both sides.

England's lineup for the first Test is:

1. Zak Crawley
2. Ben Duckett
3. Jacob Bethell
4. Joe Root
5. Harry Brook
6. Ollie Pope (WK)
7. Ben Stokes (C)
8. Chris Woakes
9. Gus Atkinson
10. Brydon Carse
11. Shoaib Bashir

It’s shaping up to be an exciting contest!