England Recall Coles and Jack as Bethell and Tongue Withdraw from Australia ODI Tour

England have revised their ODI squad for the upcoming tour of Australia, handing call-ups to James Coles and Eddie Jack after Jacob Bethell and Josh Tongue were ruled out through injury. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the changes on Wednesday, delivering a late blow to the setup just days before the series opener.

Bethell will miss the entire white-ball leg after experiencing a setback in his recovery from a right knee problem, while pace bowler Tongue has been withdrawn following a toe injury. Both players are set to travel back to the United Kingdom for further assessment and treatment.

Jacob Bethell suffers fresh knee injury setback

Bethell’s withdrawal is a notable loss for England, as the young all-rounder was expected to add depth with both his batting and left-arm spin. He had been included in both the ODI and T20I squads for the Australia tour after progressing well in his recovery from a knee injury picked up during the home ODI series against India in July.

A setback during a training session in Perth, however, led to medical scans that confirmed he would be unable to feature on the tour. With a demanding winter schedule ahead, the decision was made for Bethell to return home and consult a specialist. His availability for the upcoming Test series against South Africa may also hinge on the results of further medical checks.

Josh Tongue ruled out with toe injury

Tongue’s absence further complicates England’s pace-bowling plans. The Nottinghamshire quick had been picked for the ODI portion of the tour but suffered an injury to his left big toe. He will head back to England for additional medical evaluation.

England had intended to carefully manage the workloads of their fast bowlers across the tour, particularly with a Test series against South Africa on the horizon in December. Tongue’s injury will force the team to reshuffle its bowling options ahead of the first ODI.

James Coles and Eddie Jack earn ODI call-ups

England have opted for James Coles and Eddie Jack to cover the two gaps in the ODI squad. Coles, an all-rounder from Sussex, provides an additional two-way option, while Jack, a Hampshire seamer, has been turning heads with his domestic performances.

Both players were already part of England’s T20I squad for the Australia tour, so neither will be stepping into unfamiliar surroundings. Their promotion to the ODI group offers them a chance to make an impression against Australia in testing conditions.

The additions also give England greater depth as captain Harry Brook readies his side for a tough series against one of the strongest teams in international cricket.

England vs Australia ODI Series: Schedule

The three-match series gets underway in Perth on November 13, with the second ODI set for Adelaide on November 15. The series finale will be staged in Hobart on November 18.

With the opening fixture fast approaching, England will be hoping their new arrivals settle in quickly. The series also represents a valuable opportunity for both sides to sharpen their preparations for the next ODI World Cup, scheduled for 2027.

England will then progress to a five-match T20I series against Australia, starting in Melbourne on November 21.

Source link