LONDON: Jamie Overton was on Thursday handed a surprise recall to the England squad for the first Test against India while Jacob Bethell’s return creates a top-order selection headache.
Overton has been a regular in England’s white-ball set-up but won his solitary Test cap against New Zealand in 2022, taking two wickets and hitting an unexpected 97 with the bat.
It is unclear whether the all-rounder will be fully fit to take the field at Headingley on June 20, having broken a finger during the recent One-day Internationals against the West Indies.
The England and Wales Cricket Board said the 31-year-old will be “assessed and reviewed daily” by its medical team.
Overton’s Surrey team-mate Gus Atkinson is not fit after injuring his hamstring in England’s Test win against Zimbabwe last month.
England have brought back pacemen Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse, both of whom missed the early part of the season with injury problems.
Woakes could edge out Sam Cook, who retains his place in the squad after a quiet debut against Zimbabwe.
Rising star Bethell is back from Indian Premier League duty after winning the tournament with Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The 21-year-old impressed during his debut Test series in New Zealand in November-December, scoring three half-centuries at number three, and averages 52.
Vice-captain Ollie Pope and Zak Crawley were thought to be under pressure from Bethell’s reintroduction but the pair both scored hundreds against Zimbabwe.
The Test at Headingley is the first in a five-match series.
ENGLAND HOPE TO HAVE ARCHER BACK
England selector Luke Wright on Thursday said that fast bowler Jofra Archer could make his long-awaited Test return as soon as next month’s second Test against India.
Archer was not considered for the first Test against India due to a broken thumb suffered while fielding in the Indian Premier League.
It was the latest in a long line of injuries — mainly to his elbow and back — that have kept him out of Test action for more than four years.
Despite his lengthy absence from red-ball internationals, express quick Archer is still regarded as a potential match-winner when England look to regain the Ashes in Australia during a 2025-26 tour.
England now have a plan to get Archer ready for the second Test against India at Edgbaston in early July that would see the Barbados-born 30-year-old featuring for Sussex’s 2nd XI followed by a County Championship game against Durham starting on June 22.
If Archer comes through both matches with a clean bill of health, he could yet add to his tally of 13 Test caps after launching his international career in spectacular style in 2019 when he helped England win the 50-over World Cup and starred in a drawn Ashes series.
“We’ll watch him in that game for Sussex and see where he’s at. He’s such a talent, it doesn’t take him too long to get up to speed.”
“If things go well, he should be available for the second Test,” Wright told reporters.
“He’s got to keep ticking off every day and getting no sort of setbacks, but if all goes well and Jofra gets through that Durham game, then he’s available potentially for selection for that second Test.
Squad: Ben Stokes (captain), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Sam Cook, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jamie Overton, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wicket-keeper), Josh Tongue, Chris Woakes.
Published in Dawn, June 6th, 2025
