England now face a classic puzzle reminiscent of a Countdown final, where the final letters must be rearranged to make sense of a tricky situation. The retirement of Ben Stokes from international cricket and Jacob Bethell’s recent knee problem opened the door for Jordan Cox and Dan Lawrence to feature in the Test batting order, and both have taken advantage of the chance, especially against a Pakistan side that has struggled to find its footing. While most observers do not expect Stokes to make a comeback—though nothing is ever entirely certain—Bethell is slated to be fit for the three‑match series in South Africa later this winter. His return will leave England with one batter too many for the eleven, forcing the selectors to make a difficult decision about who will be dropped.
Cox and Lawrence have earned their places, but so has opener Emilio Gay, who after five Tests is averaging a modest 23.44 and has not managed to get past 33 in his last six innings following a pair of half‑centuries against New Zealand. The team has dominated Pakistan, securing its first Test series win since December 2024 and now eyeing a clean 3‑0 sweep at Edgbaston beginning on September 9. The temptation is to stick with a winning combination, yet the return of a generational talent like Bethell makes that option far less straightforward.
Bethell, only 22, has already amassed centuries in all three formats over the past year, including a standout Ashes hundred. In addition to his batting prowess, he offers useful left‑arm spin and exceptional fielding, suggesting he will become a fixture in the side for many years, most likely occupying the No 3 slot. This does not automatically condemn Cox, who stepped in at first drop during Bethell’s absence, to the bench.
Cox’s reputation has largely been built on his explosive white‑ball performances—he was the Most Valuable Player in The Hundred in 2025 for the Oval Invincibles—but his first‑class credentials are impressive as well: more than 4,000 runs in 66 matches at an average of 43.27, including 12 centuries. In the short time he has been playing Tests, he has shown a calm temperament and solid technique, posting successive fifties against Pakistan at Leeds and Lord’s, each earned after early wickets had put pressure on the innings. What sets Cox apart is his ability to balance aggression with restraint. At Lord’s he started briskly but then deliberately slowed the tempo to fulfil a pre‑match promise to bat for time, demonstrating a mature approach to the game.
The only blemish on his record so far is the lack of a conversion from fifty to a hundred; his second‑innings dismissal in the second Test came via a spectacular slip catch by Salman Agha. If Cox remains a permanent fixture, someone else will have to make way—likely Gay, Lawrence or wicket‑keeper Jamie Smith.
Cox can also keep wickets, which sparked conversation before the Pakistan series about him serving as an alternative to Smith should the latter’s batting or glovework dip again. Smith, however, has shown good form, scoring a first‑innings 61—his second fifty of the summer—and delivering consistently reliable keeping, aided by former England Women’s keeper Sarah Taylor’s work as fielding coach. Lawrence, batting at No 6, has already recorded two half‑centuries against Pakistan.
His second knock was a counter‑attacking innings on a bowler‑friendly Lord’s pitch that featured a massive six over extra‑cover, followed by a modest run‑out for 17. Lawrence also provides a part‑time off‑spin option, which could be valuable if the team decides to rely on Bethell as the primary spinner, especially if new captain Joe Root prefers not to bowl his own off‑spin. Emilio Gay, the Durham‑born opener, has made a respectable start to his Test career, scoring a fifty on debut on a difficult Lord’s surface against New Zealand and then replicating the feat at The Oval in the following Test. He displays elegant off‑side strokes and can dig in when the bowlers dominate, but he appears vulnerable to balls angled across him.
A particularly unlucky moment came at Lord’s when, after settling at 31, he was given out lbw by a delivery from Mohammad Abbas that struck at shin height, after previously being dismissed by a leg‑side delivery in the first innings. Gay’s early promise suggests he can handle the step up to international cricket, yet with Cox and Lawrence already contributing runs, his position becomes precarious. The upcoming Edgbaston Test will be a crucial opportunity for him to post a substantial score and cement his place. Looking ahead, the countdown to the South Africa tour will begin once the Pakistan series concludes.
That series will be the first assignment for new head coach Stephen Fleming, who will inherit this batting conundrum and must decide how to balance the emerging talent of Bethell with the form and experience of Cox, Lawrence, and Gay. Fleming’s approach could involve rotating players based on conditions, using Cox as a flexible opener or middle‑order option, retaining Lawrence for his spin and power hitting, and giving Gay a clear role at the top if he can convert his starts into big scores.
The final decision will hinge on a blend of performance metrics, team balance, and the strategic vision for England’s Test side under Fleming’s leadership. Fans can watch the third Test against Pakistan live on Sky Sports and Sky Sports Main Event from 10 am on Wednesday, September 9, with additional streaming options available for those without a Sky subscription.