Bethell to bat for three in England Test debut against New Zealand

England's Ben Stokes to be part of four-pronged attack for first Test against New Zealand (Sanka Vidanagama)

England’s Ben Stokes to be part of four-pronged attack for first Test against New Zealand (Sanka Vidanagama)

Jacob Bethell will line up at number three on his Test debut as England named their squad for the series opener against New Zealand in Christchurch on Tuesday.

The 21-year-old was brought into the squad for the match which begins on Thursday after wicketkeeper Jordan Cox broke his right thumb during a net session.

Regular number three Ollie Pope replaces Cox with the gloves and returns to bat at six, with captain Ben Stokes at seven in the batting order.

Bethell, who has never batted higher than number four in first-class cricket, where his average is 25.44, made his international debut only two months ago in white-ball matches against Australia and the West Indies.

Joe Root remains at number four, despite scoring 262 when he finished third in the first Test in Pakistan last month.

Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse and the all-rounder Stokes form the pacy attack on a Hagley Oval pitch which traditionally offers a greenish wicket favoring the seamers. Shoaib Bashir is the only player.

New Zealand are yet to name their starting XI but may call on the services of top batsman Kane Williamson, who is back after injury forced him out of the recent 3-0 win of the Test series in India.

England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ollie Pope, Ben Stokes (captain), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Shoaib Bashir.

New Zealand (since): Tom Latham (captain), Tom Blundell, Devon Conway, Jacob Duffy, Matt Henry, Daryl Mitchell, Will O’Rourke, Glenn Phillips, Rachin Ravindra, Nathan Smith, Tim Southee, Kane Williamson, Will Young.

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