NEW DELHI: After missing the second one-day international against India due to a hamstring injury, Jacob Bethell will not be playing in the Champions Trophy next week.
Bethell, 21, scored 51 in the first loss last week, but he was not present on Sunday as India seized an insurmountable 2-0 lead in the three-match series in Cuttack.
Pakistan and Dubai will host the 50-over Champions Trophy starting on February 19.
“I’m pretty sure (Bethell) has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy, to be honest,” captain Jos Buttler admitted after England’s four-wicket defeat.
“That’s really disappointing for him. Obviously, he played nicely the other day and has been one of the really exciting players,” he added.
“It’s a shame that injury is going to rule him out.”
Although they have not released a formal statement regarding Bethell’s condition, England called up Somerset batsman Tom Banton as a backup on Sunday.
The 26-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman Banton was scheduled to land in India on Monday and join the England team for Wednesday’s series finale in Ahmedabad.
Having participated in six ODIs, Banton averages 26.80 runs with the bat and has a highest score of 58.
On February 22, England will play World Cup winners Australia in their Champions Trophy opener.
The deadline for submitting final squads is February 12.
