England's Stokes Confident in Bethell's Number Six Role Amid Test Squad Shake-Up

England's cricket squad faces significant changes as they prepare for the fifth and final Test against India at The Oval. Due to a right shoulder injury, skipper Ben Stokes will miss the match, leaving Ollie Pope to lead the team. In his absence, all-rounder Jacob Bethell is set to step into the crucial number six spot, bringing both batting power and spin options.

The England team will also miss key players including spinner Liam Dawson and pace bowlers Jofra Archer and Brydon Carse. Bolstering the side are Surrey bowlers Gus Atkinson and Jamie Overton, alongside Nottinghamshire's fast bowler Josh Tongue. Despite these substantial changes, Stokes expressed confidence in his team's ability to achieve victory, emphasizing the squad's depth and resilience in the pre-match press conference.

Reflecting on Bethell's previous performances, Stokes highlighted the talented all-rounder's adaptability across all formats, with an impressive record in recent matches. Bethell scored 260 runs at an average of 52.00 and took three wickets, showcasing his potential and versatility. Stokes remains optimistic about England's chances, stressing that the team's focus is entirely on securing both the game and the series win.

(With inputs from agencies.)