England's hopes of a strong start to their cricket series against New Zealand have been boosted with the news that Jacob Bethell is expected to be fit for the first Test. The young all-rounder was forced to cut short his time with Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the Indian Premier League due to injury, but the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has confirmed that he is on track to recover in time for the crucial match.
Bethell's return to fitness will be a welcome boost for the England team, who are looking to bounce back from a disappointing series against Ireland. The first Test is set to take place at Lord's, with England looking to get their campaign back on track.
Speaking about Bethell's expected fitness, an ECB spokesperson said, 'We are delighted to hear that Jacob is making good progress with his recovery. He is expected to be fit for the first Test and we are looking forward to seeing him in action.'
The news will be a relief for England fans, who were worried that Bethell's injury might rule him out of the first Test. However, with the young all-rounder expected to be fit, England will be looking to build on their recent performances and make a strong start to the series.