FILE PHOTO: Cricket - Fourth One Day International - England v Australia - Lord's Cricket Ground, London, Britain - September 27, 2024 England's Jacob Bethell in action Action Images via Reuters/Paul Childs/File Photo
(Reuters) - England's Jacob Bethell will bat at number three for the first time in first-class cricket when he makes his test debut against New Zealand at Christchurch's Hagley Oval on Thursday.
In a rejig forced by the injury to wicketkeeper Jordan Cox, Ollie Pope will take the gloves and drop down the order to bat at six with Bethell coming in at first-drop ahead of Joe Root, who will play his 150th test.England confirmed their line-up for the first of three tests against the Black Caps before training on Tuesday morning with Bethel's selection the major surprise.
