Jacob Bethell to debut as England name their playing XI for NZ vs ENG 2024 1st Test

All-rounder Jacob Bethell will make his Test debut as England have named their playing XI for the opening match against New Zealand, beginning on Thursday, November 28, in Christchurch. The tourists have opted for Ollie Pope as a wicketkeeper after an injury to Jordan Cox.

Cox, who was set to make his debut, injured his right thumb during the practice match in Queenstown. Pope, who has batted at No. 3 since Brendon McCullum took over as coach and Ben Stokes became captain, will now slide to No. 6. Jamie Smith, who has regularly kept wickets, is on paternity leave.

Bethell, meanwhile, made his international debut during the recent T20I and ODI series against Australia. The 21-year-old also had an encouraging tour of the West Indies, scoring three half-centuries, including two quick-fire ones in the five-match T20I series. However, he has featured only in 20 first-class games, accumulating 793 runs at 25.44.

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

"Really looking forward to watching him go out there and play" - Joe Root ahead of Jacob Bethell's England red-ball debut

Ace batter Joe Root recalled how Bethell already looked like an accomplished player when he was 11 or 12 and said it's pleasing to see him rise to different occasions. He told BBC Sport:

"The way his game sets up suits Test cricket. I'm really looking forward to watching him go out there and play. It's a really exciting time for him. I've known him and his family for a long time. I saw him play when he was 11 or 12 years old and I could tell then he was already a very accomplished player. It's been really pleasing seeing him grow up, make his way at Warwickshire, then more recently in the white-ball stuff show everyone what a brilliant player he is."

England and New Zealand drew 1-1 the last time they played a Test series.