England now face a classic Countdown‑style conundrum as they try to fit an extra batsman into their Test line‑up. The retirement of Ben Stokes and Jacob Bethell’s recent knee problem opened the door for Jordan Cox and Dan Lawrence, both of whom have taken advantage of the opportunity against a relatively weak Pakistani side. While Stokes is unlikely to make a comeback – though it can’t be ruled out completely – Bethell is expected to be fit for the three‑Test series in South Africa this winter. His return will leave England with one batter too many, forcing the selectors to make a tough decision about who will miss out.
Cox and Lawrence have not yet secured permanent places, and the same uncertainty hangs over opener Emilio Gay. Gay has managed an average of 23.44 in his first five Tests and has not surpassed a score of 33 in his last six innings since his twin fifties against New Zealand.
England have already wrapped up a series win over Pakistan – their first since December 2024 – and they will aim to complete a 3‑0 sweep at Edgbaston starting on 9 September. The temptation is to stick with a winning combination, but the arrival of a fit Bethell makes the equation far more complex. Bethell, only 22, is widely regarded as a generational talent.
Over the past year he has piled up centuries in all three formats, including a brilliant Ashes hundred, and he also contributes useful left‑arm spin and sharp fielding. He is expected to become a mainstay at No 3 for many years to come. That does not automatically mean that Cox, who filled the first‑drop position in Bethell’s absence, will be the one to lose his spot. Cox has built his reputation as a hard‑hitting white‑ball player – he was the MVP of The Hundred in 2025 with the Oval Invincibles – but his first‑class statistics are impressive as well: more than 4,000 runs in 66 matches at an average of 43.27, including 12 centuries.
In the brief Test career he has already shown a solid temperament and sound technique, posting back‑to‑back fifties against Pakistan at Leeds and Lord’s, both times after being sent in early when the ball was still moving. He can bat both aggressively and defensively; at Lord’s he tempered a brisk start on day one to fulfill his pre‑match promise of occupying the crease for a long spell. The only blemish so far is that he has not yet turned a half‑century into a triple figure, his most notable dismissal being a spectacular slip catch off Salman Agha in the second Test.
If Cox remains in the side for the long term, someone else will have to be displaced – likely Gay, Lawrence or wicket‑keeper Jamie Smith. Cox also keeps wicket, which sparked discussion before the Pakistan series about using him as a backup to Smith if the latter struggles with either the bat or the gloves. Smith, however, has been in good form, scoring a 61 in the first innings – his second fifty of the summer – and his keeping has been consistently reliable, aided by former England Women’s keeper Sarah Taylor’s work as fielding coach.
Lawrence, batting at No 6, has already recorded two fifties against Pakistan, including a counter‑attacking innings at Lord’s where he smashed a massive six over extra‑cover before being run‑out for 17. He also offers a part‑time off‑spin option, which could be valuable when England’s attack is predominantly pace‑focused.
The team could theoretically drop Lawrence and let Bethell assume the primary spin role, but having both as slow‑bowling alternatives might prove useful, especially if new captain Joe Root prefers not to bowl his own off‑spin. Turning to Emilio Gay, his promotion to the international arena has not been a failure, though he appears vulnerable to deliveries that angle across him. He made a half‑century on debut on a difficult Lord’s pitch against New Zealand and followed it with another fifty at The Oval in the next Test.
Gay displays elegant off‑side strokes and can dig in when a bowler gains the upper hand. Unfortunately, he suffered some cruel luck at Lord’s when, after settling to 31, he was given out lbw by an unplayable delivery from Mohammad Abbas that clipped the pad at shin height, after an earlier leg‑side dismissal in the same innings. While Gay’s technique is sound, the pressure to produce runs intensifies when Cox and Lawrence are both contributing. Cox’s experience opening in county cricket adds another layer of flexibility, potentially allowing him to open in Tests and push Gay down the order.
Consequently, Gay may need a big innings at Edgbaston to cement his place when the Pakistan series resumes. Looking ahead, after the Edgbaston Test the focus will shift to the South Africa tour, which will be the first assignment for new head coach Stephen Fleming. Fleming will inherit a batting roster that includes a returning Bethell, a proven yet still emerging Cox, a versatile Lawrence, and a promising Gay. How he resolves this batting conundrum will shape England’s Test fortunes for the coming years.
Fans can watch the third Test against Pakistan live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event, starting at 10 am on Wednesday, 9 September (11 am first ball). For those without Sky, there are streaming options and deals available via NOW.