Stokes Defends Bethell’s Test Debut at Number Three
England captain Ben Stokes has addressed concerns about Jacob Bethell making his Test debut batting at number three against New Zealand, expressing full confidence in the 21-year-old’s ability to contribute positively.
Bethell, set to play at Christchurch’s Hagley Oval on Thursday, will be batting at three in first-class cricket for the first time. Despite his limited red-ball experience in higher-order positions, he has impressed in shorter formats, debuting in both Twenty20 and one-day internationals in September. While he has five first-class half-centuries, his previous highest batting position in red-ball cricket was number four.
When asked about the potentially controversial decision, Stokes said on Tuesday:
“You can understand why people might question it, but when you’re in a position to make decisions, you have to trust yourself and do what you believe is best for the team. We’ve made choices in the past that have worked in our favor, and we’re confident in what we’re doing.”
Stokes emphasized that Bethell’s selection wasn’t arbitrary, stating: “Beth has shown he has the skillset to bat at three and make an impact, just as he has done in the white-ball format over the summer.”
The squad has also adjusted for the absence of injured wicketkeeper Jordan Cox, with Ollie Pope stepping in as wicketkeeper and dropping to bat at six, allowing Bethell to move ahead of Joe Root in the batting order.
