England now face a classic puzzle reminiscent of a Countdown final, as they must decide which batsman will be squeezed out when Jacob Bethell recovers from his knee injury. The retirement of Ben Stokes and Bethell’s recent lay‑off opened doors for Jordan Cox and Dan Lawrence in the Test side, and both have taken advantage of the chance against a struggling Pakistan outfit. While Stokes is unlikely to return – though the door isn’t completely shut – Bethell is slated to be fit for the three‑Test tour of South Africa later this winter, leaving England with one extra specialist batter in a line‑up that can only accommodate eleven.
Cox and Lawrence cannot take their places for granted, and the same uncertainty hangs over opener Emilio Gay. Gay has managed an average of just 23.44 in his first five Tests and has not topped 33 in his last six innings since his twin fifties against New Zealand, suggesting his position is far from secure. England have already wrapped up a series win over Pakistan – their first Test series triumph since December 2024 – and they will be looking to turn that into a 3‑0 clean sweep at Edgbaston starting 9 September.
One tempting route is simply to stick with the winning combination, but the arrival of a fit Bethell makes the equation more complex. Bethell, only 22, is widely regarded as a generational talent. Over the past year he has piled up centuries for England in all three formats, including a brilliant ton in the Ashes. His skill set goes beyond batting: he bowls handy left‑arm spin and is an excellent fielder, making him a likely regular at No 3 for many seasons to come.
That does not automatically mean Cox, who has filled the first‑drop role in Bethell’s absence, will be the one to go. Cox’s reputation has been built largely 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. In 66 first‑class matches he has amassed more than 4,000 runs at an average of 43.27, including 12 centuries. In the Test arena, his temperament and technique have already shown promise, with successive fifties against Pakistan at Leeds and Lord’s, each earned after he walked out to the crease while the ball was still moving.
He demonstrates a balanced approach, capable of both defending stoutly and attacking when the situation allows. Notably, at Lord’s he tempered an aggressive start on day one to fulfil a pre‑match promise to bat for time, showing maturity beyond his years. The only blemish on Cox’s early Test record is that he has yet to convert a half‑century into a triple‑figure score, a conversion that will be crucial for his long‑term claim on a permanent spot. A dramatic slip catch taken by Salman Agha in the second Test ended one of his promising innings, underscoring how fine the margins can be.
If Cox retains his place, someone else will have to make way – likely either Gay, middle‑order mainstay Dan Lawrence, or wicket‑keeper‑batter Jamie Smith. Cox also keeps wickets, so there was talk before the Pakistan series that he could serve as a backup to Smith if the latter’s batting or glovework falters.
Smith, however, has been in good form, posting a first‑innings 61 – 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 produced two fifties against Pakistan, including a counter‑attacking knock at Lord’s that featured a massive six over extra‑cover before a run‑out for 17. He also provides England’s primary spin option with his part‑time off‑breaks, a useful variety when the side’s attack is otherwise all‑pace.
Should Bethell return, England could consider dropping Lawrence and using Bethell as the main spinner, but retaining both could give the team extra flexibility, especially if new captain Joe Root prefers not to bowl his own off‑spin. Turning to Emilio Gay, his promotion to the international stage has not been a disaster.
He has shown a flair for the off‑side and the ability to dig in when a bowler gets on top. Gay notched a fifty on debut on a difficult Lord’s pitch against New Zealand and followed it with another half‑century at The Oval in the next Test.
However, he appears vulnerable to balls angling across him, and a cruel lbw decision by Mohammad Abbas at Lord’s – a delivery that clipped his shin and dismissed him for 31 – highlighted his susceptibility to a bit of bad luck. With Cox and Lawrence contributing runs, Gay’s position becomes increasingly precarious. He may need a big innings at Edgbaston to cement his place when the Pakistan series resumes.
After that match, England will shift focus to the South Africa tour, which will be the first assignment for new head coach Stephen Fleming. How Fleming resolves this batting conundrum will be a key storyline heading into the winter. Fans can watch the third Test against Pakistan live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Main Event from 10 am on Wednesday, 9 September (11 am first ball).
For those without Sky, the latest streaming deals or NOW’s contract‑free option provide alternatives. All matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports.