England was supposed to choose Jacoba Bethella for Zimbabwe Test and ended up early on her IPL magic, says Michael Atherton

Michael Atherton says England was supposed to name Jacob Bethel in their team because of a one -time test against Zimbabwe, not letting him continue his magic of the Indian Premier League.

Warwicksshire Butter Bethell impressed himself in his debut series in Novi Zealand, in winter, achieving three half a century from the place no 3 during a 2-1 victory.

However, the 21-year-old was not invited from his stay with IPL Franchise Royal Challengers and is currently ready to miss the Trent Bridge test of May 22, live to live Sky Sports.

This could potentially change with IPL suspended for at least a week in the midst of tension at the border of India-Pakistan She led to Pakistan Super League to delay indefinitely.

Former English captain Atherton said SKY SPORTS CRICKET PODCAST: “My opinion is that Bethell was supposed to be chosen.

“It’s a point of a contract in England – you have control over your players.

“If you are going to put a player on a complete central contract – Bethell has been transferred from an incremental contract to a full job after doing so well in New Zealand – and then return your player.

“It’s a test match. It’s an international fixture, and international devices should have a priority over the domestic franchise competition.

“I know politics is players that they should see their IPL offers, but I disagree with that.”

‘England saved itself from making a ticklish decision’

Bethell’s absence means that Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley, both who fought for late, retained their places against Zimbabwe.

England will be forced into a “ticklish decision”, according to Atherton, when Bethell is available in front of the India series, which starts in Headinogley from June 20th.

The left back earned his opportunity at New Zealand for the leave of the paternity of Jamie Smith, then the thumb injuries suffered by Jordan Cox, but Smith is now coming back.

Atherton added that Bethell missed the Zimbabwe test: “In many ways he saved the selectors from a very difficult call.

“Bethell looked at the way he was born in New Zealand, but then he would have a ticky decision because Smith is obviously returning.

“They could bring Bethel to the team, but I’m not sure they will because they are probably happy that they don’t have a difficult call yet.”

Cox was declared an auxiliary dough for the Zimbabwe test just to suffer another cruel blow to injury – the abdominal problem held while reached for Essex in the County Championship.

This gave the opportunity to Sameers’s James Rewu, 21, who is the youngest Englishman who achieved 10 hundred first -class hundred from Denis Compton in 1939.

Watch a one -time, four -day English test against Zimbabwe, live Cricket Sky Sports From 10am (11am first ball) on Thursday, May 22.

England Men test matches this summer ☀️

All games at 11am UK and Ireland; All live on Sky Sports

• VS Zimbabwe: Thursday, May 22, May 25 – Trent Bridge
• VS India: Friday 20th June -TEUedad June 24 – Headleyy
• VS India: Wednesday July 2, July 6 – Edgbaston
• VS India: Thursday 10 July July 14 July 14th – sir
• VS India: Wednesday, July 27, July 27 – Emirates Old Trafford
• VS India: Thursday 31. July Months 4. August – Kia oval

Ash series in Australia 2025-26 🏏

All the time of the UK and Ireland

• First Test: Friday, November 21st, November 25 November (2.30am) – PERTUS stadium, Perth
• Second test: Thursday, December 4 months, December 8th (4.30am) – Gabba, Brisbane
• Third test: Wednesday, December 17, December 21 (12:00) – Adelaide oval
• Fourth test: Thursday, December 25 months, December 29 (1:30 pm) – Melbourne Crickket Ground
• Fifth test: Sunday, January 4th – Thursday from January 8th (1.30pm) – Sydney Crickket Ground