England now face a classic Countdown‑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 problem opened the door for Jordan Cox and Dan Lawrence to feature in the Test batting order, and both players have made the most of the chance against a relatively weak Pakistani side. While Stokes is unlikely to make a comeback—though the possibility cannot be ruled out entirely—Bethell is expected to be back for the three‑Test tour of South Africa this winter.
His return will create a surplus of top‑order talent, forcing the selectors to decide which batsman will be left out. Cox and Lawrence have yet to secure permanent spots, and the same uncertainty applies to opener Emilio Gay, whose first five Tests have yielded an average of 23.44 and who has not surpassed a score of 33 in his last six innings since his twin fifties against New Zealand. England have dominated Pakistan, clinching their first Test series win since December 2024 and now aiming for a 3‑0 clean sweep at Edgbaston from September 9.
The temptation is to stick with a winning combination, yet the arrival of a fit Bethell—still only 22 but already regarded as a generational talent—complicates matters. Bethell has amassed centuries in all three formats over the past year, including a superb Ashes hundred, and he also offers useful left‑arm spin and athletic fielding.
He is likely to be slotted at No 3 for the foreseeable future, but that does not automatically make Cox the expendable option, even though Cox has been batting at first drop in Bethell’s absence. Cox’s reputation is largely built on his explosive white‑ball performances—he was the MVP of The Hundred in 2025 for the Oval Invincibles—but his first‑class credentials are solid: more than 4,000 runs in 66 matches at an average of 43.27, with 12 centuries to his name.
In his brief Test career he has shown both temperament and technique, posting successive fifties against Pakistan at Leeds and Lord’s, each time after being sent in early when the ball was still swinging. He can defend when required, as demonstrated by his restrained approach on the first day at Lord’s after a brisk start, and he has spoken publicly about his desire to bat long innings—something he proved he can do.
The main criticism of Cox so far is that he has not yet turned a half‑century into a triple figure in Tests; his most notable dismissal was a spectacular slip catch taken by Salman Agha in the second Test. If Cox remains a fixture in the side, someone else will have to be displaced—most likely Gay, Lawrence or wicket‑keeper Jamie Smith. Cox also keeps wickets, and before the Pakistan series there was talk of him serving as a backup to Smith should the latter struggle with either bat or gloves. Smith, however, has been in fine form, scoring a first‑innings 61—his second fifty of the summer—and delivering consistently reliable keeping, a performance bolstered 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 at Lord’s in bowler‑friendly conditions, highlighted by a massive six over extra‑cover before a run‑out reduced him to 17. Lawrence also provides part‑time off‑spin, giving England a spin option in a line‑up that otherwise relies heavily on pace.
The team could theoretically drop Lawrence and let Bethell assume the primary spin role, but retaining both could prove valuable, especially if new captain Joe Root prefers not to bowl his own off‑spin. Emilio Gay, the Durham‑born opener, has shown that he can adapt to the step up to international cricket, though he appears vulnerable to balls angled across him. He notched a half‑century on debut on a difficult Lord’s pitch against New Zealand and followed it with another fifty at The Oval. Gay displays elegant stroke play, particularly through the off‑side, and can dig in when the bowlers get on top.
Unfortunately, he suffered some cruel luck at Lord’s when, after settling to 31, he was given an LBW decision by an unplayable delivery from Mohammad Abbas that struck him at shin height, after an earlier leg‑side dismissal in the same innings. With Cox and Lawrence already contributing runs, Gay’s position becomes more precarious, especially as Cox has experience opening in county cricket.
Gay may need to produce a substantial innings at Edgbaston when the Pakistan series resumes to cement his place. Looking ahead, the countdown to the South Africa tour will begin after the final Test at Edgbaston, marking the first assignment for new head coach Stephen Fleming. Fleming will have to untangle this batting conundrum, balancing the desire to retain a winning side with the need to integrate a prodigious talent like Bethell while ensuring that other players such as Cox, Lawrence, Gay and Smith have clear roles.
Fans can watch day one of England’s third Test against Pakistan live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10 am on Wednesday, September 9 (11 am first ball). For those without a Sky subscription, there are streaming options through NOW and other Sky Sports deals.