'Worth investing in' - Nasser Hussain on Jacob Bethell's Test call-up

In the absence of Ben Stokes earlier in the year, Ollie Pope led the England Test side in the series against Sri Lanka and the first game against Pakistan. However, his form is a major concern leading to the series against New Zealand, after scoring only 800 runs in 14 Test matches in 2024. Former captain Michael Atherton believes that the selection of Jacob Bethell in the squad will put pressure on Pope as England can be restless for results going forward.

Bethell meanwhile replaced Jamie Smith and Jadon Cox in the squad, after the duo was ruled out of the New Zealand series following respected injuries. Pope meanwhile is expected to bat down the order. Bethell will be batting at number three and he will have the opportunity to make a mark and impress the team management. In case the 21-year-old manages to create a spark, England team management may prefer him over Pope in the coming times.

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Former cricketer Nasser Hussain meanwhile noted that Bethell’s call-up is a typical Brendon McCullum, Ben Stokes and Rob Key selection as they have tried multiple youngsters in the last couple of years. He noted that the team is investing heavily in the future and even though picking a 21-year-old for a Test series is a ‘gamble’, the 56-year-old highlighted that Bethell is a supreme talent.

“It's a very, very [Brendon] McCullum, [Ben] Stokes, [Rob] Key selection. They go on the high ceiling: 'What can this lad get to?' They view this selection as an investment into the future and see this lad as someone well worth investing in. It's a bit of a gamble, of course it is, but at 21 years of age, Bethel is a supreme talent. He really is,” Hussain told Sky Sports.

Atherton highlighted that the series against New Zealand will be vital for Pope as the spotlight is on him to score runs. 

“It's a big tour for him. If the spotlight is on anybody, it's probably on him after a poor tour of Pakistan. There's always one in the sights, isn't there? And it's Pope at the moment,” he said.