Bethell’s century strengthens case to open England’s Ashes at No. 3, Booth argues

Jacob Bethell’s century for England in Southampton has intensified the debate over who should bat at No. 3 when the Ashes begin in Perth on Nov. 21, with Wisden editor Lawrence Booth arguing the 21-year-old must be preferred to vice-captain Ollie Pope.

Bethell’s “pulsating” 82-ball 110 came as part of a heavy England victory over South Africa and followed a string of form that included 260 runs at an average of 52 in New Zealand earlier in the year. Head coach Brendon McCullum praised Bethell after the innings, calling him “a huge player” and saying the teenager “is going to have some life” and has the “head on the shoulders” required at international level.

Opinion pieces and some members of England’s coaching staff have pointed to Bethell’s recent form and temperament as reasons to consider him for the pivotal No. 3 slot in the Test side. Booth’s column argued Bethell’s attacking instincts and recent run-scoring make him a more dangerous proposition for Australian bowlers than Pope, and that England should adopt bold selection moves rather than reverting to conservative choices.

Selectors and management face complicating factors. Pope is the incumbent vice-captain and has been a regular in the middle order during England’s “Bazball” era, averaging in the low 40s at No. 3 in that period and taking on varied roles, including keeping wicket in an emergency and dropping down the order when required. Booth, and others, noted Pope’s recent inconsistency: while he hit a hundred at Headingley, his series against India produced a lone half-century in the next eight innings and a series average of 34.

Bethell’s pathway to a regular Test role has been uneven. He spent part of the summer with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the Indian Premier League, appearing only twice in that competition, and missed opportunities to press his case in Tests during England’s home series against India earlier in the summer. That absence, and selectors’ reluctance to “upset India” by altering IPL-related selections, drew criticism from some quarters after Bethell was not included until the fifth Test at the Oval.

McCullum stressed selection discussions are ongoing and said the team is focused on immediate fixtures, but he did not hide his enthusiasm for Bethell. "He’s got a huge future in front of him," McCullum said. "He’s going to captain England, which is a tremendous honour, and we’ve put him in that position because we feel he’s got leadership qualities. He links a lot of the guys in the different personalities in the group and he sees the game in a similar way to we do." McCullum also noted that Bethell’s first senior hundred had come in the England shirt at age 21, invoking historical comparisons when he mentioned former England batsman David Gower.

England have also given Bethell responsibility in the shortest format: he will captain England in a T20 series in Dublin next week, making him the country’s youngest-ever captain when he leads that side. Management say that the wider leadership group will not be weakened by Pope’s temporary omission from a specific position if selectors opt for Bethell at No. 3 for the Ashes.

Historical precedent for bold selection moves was cited by Booth as a rationale for change. He referenced past Ashes tours where unconventional calls — including Bodyline in 1932-33, the promotion of bowlers or the mid-series dropping of players — played decisive roles. Booth’s argument is that England, who have not won a Test in Australia in recent series, may need to take similar calculated risks to unsettle the hosts.

Selection for the first Test and the full touring XI will be settled in the coming weeks. McCullum said the coaching staff still had “a few fish to fry” before finalising the side for Australia, a comment framed as an attempt to manage expectations ahead of the summer’s marquee series. For now, Bethell’s century and recent form have strengthened his case and added pressure on selectors to decide whether England will opt for the younger, aggressive option at No. 3 or retain Pope’s experience and standing in the squad.