England now face a classic conundrum reminiscent of a Countdown final – they must decide which batter will miss out when Jacob Bethell is back in the side. The retirement of Ben Stokes from international cricket and a knee injury that sidelined Bethell opened the door for Jordan Cox and Dan Lawrence in the Test order, and both have made the most of the chance against a struggling Pakistan outfit. Although it is unlikely that Stokes will reverse his decision – even if a surprise comeback cannot be ruled out completely – Bethell is expected to rejoin the squad for the three‑Test series in South Africa this winter. His return will create a surplus of top‑order talent, forcing the England selectors to make a tough call about who stays and who goes.
Cox and Lawrence have already proved their worth, but the same uncertainty surrounds opener Emilio Gay. Gay has played five Tests and averages just 23.44, with his last six innings yielding a highest score of 33 after two solid fifties against New Zealand. The question, therefore, is whether England will retain the current winning combination that has already secured a series win over Pakistan – their first Test series triumph since December 2024 – or reshuffle the lineup to accommodate a returning Bethell. Bethell, only 22, is widely regarded as a generational talent.
In the past year he has piled up centuries for England across all three formats, including a superb hundred in the Ashes. He also contributes left‑arm spin and is an excellent fielder, making him a strong candidate for a permanent No 3 berth.
However, this does not automatically make Cox the expendable player. Cox, who batted at first drop in Bethell’s absence, has built a reputation as a powerful white‑ball hitter – 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, with 12 centuries to his name.
In his brief Test career, Cox has shown a calm temperament and solid technique. He produced successive fifties against Pakistan at Leeds and Lord’s, each coming after early wickets had fallen. His innings at Lord’s demonstrated a balanced approach; after a brisk start he consciously reined in his aggression to fulfil his pre‑match promise of “batting time”.
The only blemish so far is that he has yet to convert a half‑century into a hundred – a conversion that slipped away when he was caught in a spectacular slip by Salman Agha in the second Test. If Cox remains a fixture in the side, someone else will have to make way. The obvious candidates are Gay, Lawrence or wicket‑keeper‑batsman Jamie Smith.
Cox can also keep wickets, a fact that sparked discussion before the Pakistan series about using him as an alternative to Smith if the latter’s batting or glovework falters. Smith, however, has shown resilience.
His first‑innings 61 was his second fifty of the summer, and his keeping has been consistently reliable, thanks in part to the guidance of former England Women’s keeper Sarah Taylor, now fielding coach. Lawrence, batting at No 6, has already contributed two half‑centuries against Pakistan. His second knock was a counter‑attacking innings on a bowler‑friendly Lord’s pitch, highlighted by a massive six over extra‑cover before a run‑out dismissed him for 17. Lawrence also offers a part‑time off‑break, giving England a spin option in a side that otherwise relies on pace.
The team could drop Lawrence and let Bethell assume the primary spin role, but retaining both would provide flexibility, especially if new captain Joe Root prefers to limit his own off‑spin bowling. Turning to Emilio Gay, his promotion to the international arena has not been a disaster.
He made a half‑century on debut on a difficult Lord’s surface against New Zealand and followed it up 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. However, he has shown vulnerability to balls angled across him, and an unlucky lbw dismissal by Mohammad Abbas – a delivery that struck him at shin height after he had settled on 31 – highlighted his susceptibility to extreme swing. With Cox capable of opening and Lawrence providing depth and spin, Gay’s position becomes precarious.
He may need to deliver a big score at Edgbaston when the Pakistan series resumes to cement his place. After that match, the focus will shift to the upcoming South Africa tour, which will be Stephen Fleming’s first assignment as England head coach. Fleming will inherit this batting puzzle and will have to decide whether to keep the current successful formula or to re‑configure the order to accommodate Bethell’s return. In summary, England’s batting lineup is at a crossroads.
The team has enjoyed a dominant performance against Pakistan, winning the series 1‑0 and eyeing a 3‑0 sweep at Edgbaston. Yet the return of Jacob Bethell, a left‑handed powerhouse with spin and fielding prowess, will force the selectors to choose between retaining the momentum of a winning side or reshuffling to integrate a player many consider a future mainstay. The decision will hinge on how much weight is given to recent form versus long‑term potential, and whether the coaching staff believes Cox, Lawrence, Gay or Smith can be sacrificed without compromising England’s competitive edge.