England all-rounder Jacob Bethell has been ruled out of the ongoing Hundred tournament due to a right knee injury, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan. The 22-year-old sustained the injury during England’s recent one-day international (ODI) series against India and subsequently underwent an MRI scan on Monday. The severity of the injury and the expected recovery time remain unclear.

Bethell, captain of the Birmingham Phoenix and one of the tournament’s marquee players, will not participate in the Hundred, which began this week and continues until August 16. England’s three-match Test series versus Pakistan is set to commence at Headingley on August 19, adding urgency to his rehabilitation timeline.

England Cricket confirmed that Bethell would begin a rehabilitation program but provided no definitive update on his return to play. The 22-year-old was named player of the match in the third ODI at Lord’s against India, where he scored 91 runs and took two wickets, helping England secure a 2-1 series victory. His contract with Birmingham Phoenix was reported to be worth £340,000.

Expressing his disappointment, Bethell acknowledged the frustration of missing the tournament, particularly representing his home team in front of fans at Edgbaston. He emphasized his focus on regaining full fitness and thanked supporters, teammates, and medical staff for their ongoing assistance, adding that he would support his team remotely during the competition.

Birmingham Phoenix head coach Shane Bond described the absence of Bethell as "incredibly disappointing," particularly so close to the tournament’s start. Bond highlighted the importance of prioritizing Bethell’s long-term health and expressed well wishes for his recovery, looking forward to his return to the field.

While the full extent of Bethell’s injury is yet to be determined, his absence represents a significant loss for Birmingham Phoenix and poses a potential challenge for England’s squad depth heading into a crucial phase of the international summer. Team management and fans will be monitoring his progress closely in the coming weeks.