England's young batsman, Harry Bethell, has impressed with his batting performance in the Test series against New Zealand, forcing the team to reconsider their wicketkeeping plans. With the first-choice keeper, Jamie Smith, on paternity leave, Bethell has scored three half-centuries, including a top score of 76 in the third Test. This performance has raised questions about the team's future wicketkeeping strategy.
The 21-year-old played in his maiden Test series in New Zealand, effectively standing in for wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, who has been on paternity leave. Bethell made three half-centuries, including top-scoring for England with 76 on the fourth and final day of their massive 423-run defeat in the third Test in Hamilton. 'It's a good headache to have,' McCullum told BBC Sport. 'That's what you want. You want that conversation, you don't want to be scrambling around looking for talent.
The place of Smith, England's first-choice keeper, was due to go to Jordan Cox for the New Zealand series, only for Cox to break his thumb in the days leading up to the first Test. England reshuffled their side, handing the gloves to Ollie Pope, who slid to number six in the batting order. Bethell went to number three, despite never previously batting higher than number four in his first-class career and not owning a century in professional cricket. He took the chance with an unbeaten 50 in the first-Test win in Christchurch and followed with 96 in the victory in Wellington. Along with his knock in Hamilton, all three scores of 50 or more have come in the second innings. Bethell has become only the second England batter, after Sir Alastair Cook, to reach 50 three times in the same series before the age of 22. Captain Ben Stokes had previously said he expects England to revert to the original line-up when Smith is available, with keeper Smith slotting into the middle-order and Pope back at three. But McCullum has now hinted Bethell could force England to review their options, much like they did after the series defeat in India earlier this year. Their next Test is against Zimbabwe in May.'He's been outstanding, I've been so impressed with him,' said New Zealander McCullum. 'I feel like he's been around the team for three or four years'
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