England now face a classic crossword‑style puzzle as they prepare for the upcoming South Africa series. The retirement of Ben Stokes from international cricket and Jacob Bethell’s recent knee setback opened the door for Jordan Cox and Dan Lawrence to claim spots in the Test batting order, and both have made the most of the chance against a struggling Pakistan side.
While Stokes is unlikely to return – though a complete dismissal would be premature – Bethell is expected to be fit for the three‑match tour of South Africa later this winter. His return will create a surplus of top‑order talent, forcing the selectors to decide which player will be left out of the XI. Cox and Lawrence have not yet secured permanent places, and the same uncertainty surrounds opener Emilio Gay, who has managed an average of 23.44 in his first five Tests and has not passed 33 in his last six innings after two half‑centuries against New Zealand. England have dominated Pakistan, clinching a series win – their first since December 2024 – and are poised to push for a 3‑0 sweep at Edgbaston beginning on 9 September.
The temptation is to stick with a winning formula, yet the arrival of a fit Bethell, a 22‑year‑old hailed as a generational prospect, will inevitably shake the balance. Over the past year Bethell has piled up centuries across all three formats, including a standout Ashes hundred, and he also contributes useful left‑arm spin and sharp fielding. He is likely to be earmarked for a long‑term role at No 3, if not outright as a mainstay of the side. That does not automatically make Cox the sacrificial lamb.
Cox, who earned MVP honours in The Hundred for the Oval Invincibles in 2025, has a solid first‑class pedigree: more than 4,000 runs in 66 matches at 43.27, with 12 centuries. In his fledgling Test career he has shown composure and technique, posting successive fifties against Pakistan at Leeds and Lord’s, each time after being sent in early while the ball was still moving. He can defend when required and also accelerate, as demonstrated by his restrained yet effective innings on the first day at Lord’s, where he deliberately batted for time after a brisk start.
The only blemish so far is that he has yet to convert a half‑century into a hundred, a milestone that slipped away when he was caught in a spectacular slip off Salman Agha in the second Test. If Cox retains his place for the longer term, either Gay, Lawrence or wicket‑keeper Jamie Smith will likely be the one to lose his spot. Cox also offers wicket‑keeping flexibility, a point that sparked conversation before the Pakistan series.
Should Smith struggle with either bat or gloves – as he did during the Ashes defeat in Australia – Cox could serve as an alternative behind the stumps. Smith, however, has shown resilience, scoring a 61 in the first innings – his second fifty of the summer – and his keeping has been consistently reliable, aided by the expertise of former England Women’s keeper Sarah Taylor, now the fielding coach.
Lawrence, batting at No 6, has already produced two half‑centuries against Pakistan, including a counter‑attacking knock on a bowler‑friendly Lord’s pitch that featured a massive six over extra‑cover before a run‑out for 17. He also provides a part‑time off‑spin option, adding variety to an attack that is otherwise pace‑heavy. England could theoretically drop Lawrence and rely on Bethell as the primary spinner, but having two slow‑bowling choices could prove valuable, especially if new captain Joe Root prefers to limit his own off‑spin. Turning to Emilio Gay, the Durham‑born opener has not struggled to adapt to the international stage, although his technique can be vulnerable to deliveries angling across him.
He made a half‑century on debut on a difficult Lord’s wicket against New Zealand and followed it with another fifty at The Oval. His strokeplay, particularly through the off‑side, is elegant, and he can also dig in when a bowler gets the better of him. A moment of cruel luck saw him dismissed lbw by a delivery from Mohammad Abbas that skidded at shin height after he had settled at 31, a dismissal that felt unjust given the ball’s unplayable trajectory.
Despite his promising start, Gay now finds himself under pressure as Cox and Lawrence continue to pile up runs, making his position appear more precarious. With Cox capable of opening – a role he has performed extensively in county cricket – Gay may need a substantial innings at Edgbaston to cement his place when the Pakistan series concludes.
After the final Test against Pakistan, the focus will shift to the South Africa tour, which will also be the first assignment for new head coach Stephen Fleming. Fleming will have to untangle this batting conundrum, balancing the desire to retain a successful lineup with the need to integrate Bethell’s prodigious talent and manage the ambitions of Cox, Lawrence, and Gay. Fans can watch the third Test live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10 am on Wednesday, 9 September (11 am first ball).
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