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Former England captain Michael Atherton has strongly criticized the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for allowing promising young batter Jacob Bethell to prioritize his Indian Premier League (IPL) commitments with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) over representing England in the upcoming one-off Test match against Zimbabwe at Trent Bridge from May 22 to 25.
Michael Atherton slams ECB over Jacob Bethell’s omission for Zimbabwe Test
Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, Atherton voiced his disapproval of the ECB’s policy of allowing centrally contracted players to fulfill IPL duties even when international fixtures are scheduled. He emphasized that the very essence of a central contract is to ensure national team priorities take precedence.
“That’s the point of a central contract, you’ve got control over your players. If you’re going to put a player on a full central contract, which Bethell earned after an excellent series in New Zealand, then bring your player back. It’s an international fixture, and that should have priority over the IPL,” Atherton said.
Bethell earned widespread praise for his performance in England’s 2-1 Test series victory in New Zealand earlier this year. Batting at No. 3, the 21-year-old left-hander struck three half-centuries and showed remarkable composure in challenging conditions. However, the ECB chose not to call him back from IPL 2025, instead opting to keep Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope, both under significant pressure due to inconsistent form, in the squad for the Zimbabwe fixture. This decision comes despite Bethell’s promotion from an incremental contract to a full central contract following his stellar performances overseas.
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Atherton believes Bethell’s IPL participation spares the selectors a difficult choice
While many expected Bethell’s rise to challenge the returning Jamie Smith for a place in the team, Atherton suggested that Bethell’s IPL participation spared the selectors a difficult choice. Smith, who missed the New Zealand tour due to paternity leave and then injury, is now back and available for selection. Adding Bethell to the squad would have likely meant either dropping Crawley, Pope or delaying Smith’s reintegration.
“In many ways, it saved the selectors from a very difficult call. Bethell looked to the manner born in New Zealand, but Smith comes back. They could bring Bethell into the squad, but I’m not sure they will because they’re probably happy not to face that tricky decision yet,” the former England captain added.
Atherton urged the ECB to reconsider their stance and act decisively if the situation permits. “It’s a Test match a chance for a young cricketer to further prove himself on the international stage. These are the moments that define careers,” he concluded.
In an unexpected twist, the ongoing IPL has been suspended for at least a week due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, which also led to the indefinite postponement of the Pakistan Super League. This pause could offer the ECB a timely opportunity to recall Bethell for the Zimbabwe Test. However, as of now, no public indication has been given that the ECB will take advantage of this opening.
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