‘I don’t agree to it’ – Former England skipper hits out at his own board for letting Jacob Bethell continue his IPL stint

Former England captain Michael Atherton has hit out at the English board for not including Jacob Bethell for the Test against Zimbabwe. Bethell is currently playing IPL 2025 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Atherton didn’t agree with the England Cricket Board’s decision to let Bethell continue his stint with RCB. 

Speaking on Sky Sports’ podcast, Atherton said, “My own view is that Bethell should have been picked. That is the point of an England central contract: that you have got control over your players.” Bethell made his debut for RCB after the injury suffered by fellow English star Phil Salt during the course of the season. 

Meanwhile, IPL 2025 has been suspended for a week as per BCCI after the mounting tensions between India and Pakistan. It is expected that the Indian board will reveal its future plan of action in lieu of the current situation. If the season doesn’t start in a week’s time, IPL 2025 could resume after India’s tour of England that ends in August. 

Michael Atherton slams ECB for decision on Jacob Bethell

Speaking on the Sky Sports podcast, Atherton also said, “If you are going to put a player on a full central contract – Bethell had been moved from an incremental contract to a full deal after doing so well in New Zealand – then bring your player back.”

The former English skipper also added, “It is a Test match. It is an international fixture, and international fixtures should have priority over domestic franchise competition. I know the policy is that players should see through their IPL deals, but I do not particularly agree with it.”

Jordan Cox, who was given his maiden call-up to the national squad, had to be withdrawn due to injury. James Rew has been added to the squad thanks to his current form with the bat in the domestic circuit. Rew has scored 383 runs from five matches with two centuries and one fifty. The 21-year-old averages close to 55 with the bat, which earned him his maiden call-up to the national side. Bethell has already played three Tests for England and scored 260 runs with three half-centuries and an average of 52.