The International Cricket Council (ICC) confirmed on Wednesday that England’s batting all-rounder Jacob Bethell has been ruled out of the Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 due of a hamstring damage. Bethell hurt his left hamstring during England’s four-defeat in the first ODI against India last week. He struck a brave half-century in that game.
Tom Banton has taken the position of the 21-year-old for the continuous ODI series against India as well as the much awaited eight-team competition set to last from February 19 to March 9.
“England have named Tom Banton as the replacement in the ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025 squad for Jacob Bethell, who was ruled out owing of a left hamstring injury,” ICC said in a statement.
Last playing an ODI for England in August 2020, Banton returned to the team on the back of his consistent efforts for MI Emirates in the just finished International League T20, where he finished as the second top-scorer with 493 runs from 11 innings.
For the uninitiated, England will begin their Champions Trophy 2025 campaign against arch-rivals Australia on February 21, then play Afghanistan at the same location on February 26.
March 1 in Karachi will see The Three Lions play their final group-stage match against South Africa.
