Usman Tariq’s focus is now on the damage Jacob Bethell’s knee injury has done to Birmingham Phoenix’s plans. The 22-year-old England all-rounder has been ruled out of The Hundred after sustaining the problem during the recent one-day international series against India.
That is a significant blow for Birmingham Phoenix, who had expected Bethell to lead them in the competition. It also adds another complication for England, with the Test series against Pakistan beginning on 19 August and an important player now unavailable in the short term.
Birmingham Phoenix lose their named captain
On Monday, the England and Wales Cricket Board said Bethell had undergone an MRI scan after the injury was picked up in the ODI series. The update confirmed what Birmingham Phoenix had feared: their captain for The Hundred will not be available.
Bethell had been retained by Birmingham Phoenix in the auction earlier this year for £340,000, underlining how highly they valued him. His absence forces a rethink just as the tournament is about to begin, with Birmingham Phoenix due to face Trent Rockets at Edgbaston on Friday.
A setback after strong form
The timing is especially frustrating because Bethell had been in fine touch. He produced a player of the match performance in Sunday's series decider at Lord's, form that only strengthened the sense that he was ready to take on a leadership role for Birmingham Phoenix.
He has already led England in a T20 series against Ireland last year, so this was not a case of an unfamiliar responsibility. Instead, it was shaping up as another step in his development, both as a cricketer and as a captain.
For now, though, Birmingham Phoenix must adapt without him. The immediate issue is the captaincy, but the wider concern is the loss of a player who had been central to their Hundred plans and who now has to recover in time for the next stage of England’s schedule.
