Jacob Bethell has been ruled out of England's white-ball tour of Australia after suffering a right knee flare-up during a training session in Perth earlier this week. A scan carried out in Australia confirmed the setback, and the 21-year-old will now fly back to England for a specialist assessment. England have named all-rounder James Coles as his replacement in the touring party.

This is the second injury affecting the squad, with Josh Tongue having been withdrawn from the ODI squad due to a toe injury, with seamer Eddie Jack called in to cover his place. The two changes mean England head into the series without a pair of players who were part of the original selection announced on October 13, 2026.

The white-ball tour comprises three ODIs and five T20 internationals against Australia. Bethell had been named in both the ODI and T20 squads when England revealed their touring parties in October, marking his return to the setup following an earlier injury absence during the summer.

What is the background to Bethell's knee problem?

Bethell's right knee has been a recurring concern throughout 2026. He required surgery on the same knee in September after sustaining the injury during England's ODI series against India in July. His inclusion in the squads announced on October 13 had indicated that he was fit and available, making this latest flare-up a significant development in his ongoing recovery.

As reported by the BBC, the setback has also raised doubts over his fitness for England's Test tour of South Africa scheduled for December, for which he was included after having missed the three-match series against Pakistan. In his absence, Jordan Cox filled in at number 3 and scored three half-centuries in six innings.

How does Bethell's absence reshape England's touring party?

With both Bethell and Tongue unavailable, England have made two confirmed changes to their original touring party. James Coles steps in for Bethell across the white-ball formats, while Eddie Jack joins the ODI group in place of Tongue, who has been ruled out with a toe injury.

The three-match ODI series and five-match T20 series against Australia will now begin without two of the players originally selected in October. England's management will await the outcome of Bethell's specialist review back home before providing any further update on his longer-term availability for the remainder of the winter programme.