England said on Wednesday that they expect Jacob Bethell to be fit for next week’s first Test against New Zealand at Lord’s after the top-order batsman suffered a finger injury playing in the Indian Premier League.
The left ring finger injury prompted the 22-year-old to cut short his IPL campaign with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and return to the UK after scoring 96 runs in seven matches.
Bethell’s fitness setback came less than a fortnight before the start of the New Zealand series, which begins on June 4.
The left-hander was set to bat at number three after he struck a brilliant 154 against Australia at Sydney in January — a rare England highlight during their 4-1 Ashes series loss.
But an England and Wales Cricket Board statement issued on Wednesday suggested Bethell, also a left-arm spinner, would be fit for the first of a three-Test campaign.
“He will continue to be monitored in the lead-up to the first Test against New Zealand,” said the ECB. “He is expected to be fit to play in the match.”
Published on May 27, 2026
