England now face a classic Countdown‑style puzzle as they prepare for the upcoming three‑Test series in South Africa. The retirement of Ben Stokes from the international arena and Jacob Bethell’s recent knee injury opened the door for Jordan Cox and Dan Lawrence to claim spots in the Test batting order, and both have taken advantage of the chance against a struggling Pakistan side.
While Stokes is unlikely to make a surprise comeback, Bethell is expected to be fit for the South Africa tour, which means England will have one batter too many for a single XI. The uncertainty surrounding Cox and Lawrence’s future places additional pressure on opener Emilio Gay, whose first five Tests have yielded an average of 23.44 and who has not managed to pass 33 in his last six innings after two solid half‑centuries against New Zealand. England have already wrapped up a series win over Pakistan – their first since December 2024 – and they will be looking to turn that into a 3‑0 clean sweep at Edgbaston starting on 9 September.
The temptation, therefore, is to stick with the winning combination, but the return of Bethell complicates matters. At only 22, Bethell is widely regarded as a generational talent. Over the past year he has amassed hundreds in all three formats for England, including a standout Ashes century, and he also contributes useful left‑arm spin and exceptional fielding.
It is hard to imagine him being left out of the side once he is fully fit, and most observers predict he will slot straight into the No 3 position. That does not automatically make Cox the expendable player, however.
Cox earned his reputation primarily as a power‑hitting white‑ball specialist – he was the MVP of The Hundred in 2025 for the Oval Invincibles – but his first‑class credentials are impressive: more than 4,000 runs in 66 matches at an average of 43.27, including 12 centuries. In his fledgling Test career he has already shown a calm temperament and sound technique, posting successive fifties against Pakistan at Leeds and Lord’s, each after being forced to bat early when the ball was still moving. He can defend when needed and accelerate when the situation demands, as demonstrated by his controlled start on the first day at Lord’s where he deliberately slowed the scoring rate after a brisk opening spell. The only blemish on Cox’s record so far is the lack of a conversion from a fifty to a hundred; his highest score remains a half‑century, and he was once dismissed via a spectacular slip catch taken by Salman Agha in the second Test.
If Cox retains his place in the long term, someone else will have to make way – likely Gay, Lawrence or wicket‑keeper Jamie Smith. Cox also offers a secondary skill as a wicket‑keeper, which sparked discussions before the Pakistan series about him serving as an alternative to Smith should the latter struggle with either the bat or the gloves.
Smith, however, has been in good form, scoring a first‑innings 61 – his second fifty of the summer – and his keeping has been consistently reliable, a fact that can be partly credited to the guidance of former England Women keeper Sarah Taylor, now England’s fielding coach. Dan Lawrence, batting at No 6, has already contributed two half‑centuries against Pakistan, including a counter‑attacking innings at Lord’s that featured a massive six over extra‑cover before a modest run‑out for 17. Lawrence also provides a part‑time off‑spin option, adding variety to an attack that is otherwise dominated by pace.
England could theoretically drop Lawrence and rely on Bethell as the primary spinner, but having both men available gives the captain flexibility, especially if new captain Joe Root prefers not to bowl his own off‑spin. Emilio Gay, the Durham‑born opener, has shown promise at the international level.
He recorded a fifty on debut on a difficult Lord’s pitch against New Zealand and followed it with another half‑century at The Oval. Gay’s strengths lie in his elegant off‑side strokes and his ability to dig in when the bowler gains the upper hand. However, he has shown vulnerability to balls that angle across him, and a moment of cruel luck saw him dismissed lbw by a delivery from Mohammad Abbas that struck at shin height after he had settled on 31.
Such incidents highlight the fine margins that can affect a young player’s confidence. With Cox and Lawrence currently providing runs and stability, Gay’s position becomes more precarious, especially if Cox is considered as an opening option – a role he has performed regularly in county cricket. For Gay to cement his place, a substantial score at Edgbaston will likely be required when the Pakistan series resumes.
Looking ahead, the countdown to the South Africa tour will begin immediately after the final Test at Edgbaston. That series will be the first assignment for new head coach Stephen Fleming, who will inherit this batting conundrum and will need to decide how to balance youth, experience and form. Will he retain the successful core that has delivered a series win, or will he make bold changes to accommodate Bethell’s return and possibly drop one of the current regulars?
The decisions made by Fleming and his staff will shape England’s batting line‑up for the foreseeable future, and fans will be watching closely to see which player ultimately misses out when the 22‑year‑old prodigy steps back onto the field.