Jordan Cox and Jacob Bethell to Debut in England’s T20 Opener

Jordan Cox and Jacob Bethell will make their England debuts in the first T20 against Australia on Wednesday in Southampton. Cox, a 23-year-old aggressive batter from Essex was recently part of England’s Test squad against Sri Lanka but did not play. He also topped the run charts for Oval Invincibles in this year’s Hundred, scoring 214 runs at a strike rate of 143.62.

Bethell, a 20-year-old batting all-rounder from Barbados will debut alongside him. Bethell was part of England’s Under-19 squad that reached the 2022 World Cup final and has been impressive in domestic T20s, scoring 166 runs in the Hundred and contributing with left-arm spin. Jamie Overton, who previously played one Test for England against New Zealand in 2022 will also make his T20 debut.

Saqib Mahmood returns to the England squad for the first time since March 2023 after recovering from a stress fracture in his back. The squad for the first T20 against Australia includes Phil Salt as captain and wicket-keeper, Will Jacks, Jordan Cox, Liam Livingstone, Jacob Bethell, Sam Curran, Jamie Overton, Jofra Archer, Adil Rashid, Saqib Mahmood and Reece Topley.

Salt, who is filling in for the injured Jos Buttler, will open alongside Jacks. Livingstone, Curran, Rashid, Archer and Topley retain their spots from the T20 World Cup squad earlier this year. Marcus Trescothick will act as interim coach for the series, with Brendon McCullum set to start his role as permanent head coach in the new year.

England will play three T20s followed by five one-day internationals and have chosen a youthful squad as they rebuild after losing their T20 and 50-over world titles.