England face fresh selection uncertainty ahead of their Test tour of South Africa after Jacob Bethell was ruled out of the white-ball series in Australia following a recurrence of his knee injury.
The 23-year-old is also a major doubt for the three-Test series against South Africa, which begins on December 17, after suffering a setback during training earlier this week.
Bethell had travelled to Australia hoping to return to action after undergoing surgery in September. However, he missed England’s warm-up match against Western Australia at the weekend before experiencing further discomfort in his right knee.
Following a scan, the Warwickshire batter is expected to return to England for specialist assessment.
His absence is a significant setback for the national team, particularly after his impressive performances in the Test format and his growing importance across all three formats.
Bethell has not represented England since July, when he experienced knee discomfort while scoring 91 in a one-day international against India at Lord’s.
His potential absence from the South Africa tour could reopen the door for several players competing for places in England’s Test batting line-up.
Emilio Gay and Jordan Cox, who featured in England’s 3-0 Test series victory over Pakistan during the home summer, could now have another opportunity to establish themselves in the side.
Ollie Pope is also a strong candidate for a recall, having served as England’s reserve batter during Bethell’s absence in the summer. Pope is currently scheduled to feature for England Lions in South Africa, but could be considered for promotion to the senior squad if Bethell is unavailable.
Other possible replacements include James Rew, who has one Test cap, and uncapped Durham opener Ben McKinney, both of whom have impressed during England Lions’ white-ball tour of the West Indies.
England have already called up Sussex all-rounder James Coles as cover for the Australia white-ball series. Uncapped fast bowler Eddie Jack has also joined the one-day squad following Josh Tongue’s withdrawal because of a toe injury.
The injury is particularly disappointing for Bethell, whose unbeaten 154 in the final Test against Australia in January was one of the few bright moments in England’s difficult Ashes campaign.
He was included in England’s squad for the South Africa Tests earlier this week, with selector Marcus North admitting that the selection panel had yet to determine who would make way for his return to the starting line-up.
England Test captain Joe Root expressed sympathy for the young batter, saying he was aware of the effort Bethell had made to recover from the injury.
“It’s disappointing for Jacob. I don’t know much more. I know how hard he works and everything he’s done to get himself right,” Root told BBC Sport.
“Hopefully it’s not too serious and he’s not out for too long.”
England begin their Australia tour with three one-day internationals, starting in Perth on Friday, followed by five Twenty20 matches before attention shifts to the South Africa Test series.
