Finger injury ends Bethell’s IPL season

HYDERABAD – Barbadian Jacob Bethell has been ruled out for the remainder of the Indian Premier League (IPL) after sustaining a finger injury while playing for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Bethell, hurt the finger on his left hand while diving to save a boundary in the final over of RCB’s win over Punjab Kings on Sunday.

He was ruled out of their final group game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Friday night as a result and was seen in the dugout with some strapping on his left hand.

According to a report by ESPNcricinfo, Bethell is now in a race against time to recover ahead of England’s first Test of their home summer against New Zealand on June 4.

The ECB said in a statement that they have agreed with RCB that Bethell should return home, and that he will be “fully assessed and monitored” by England’s medical team to “determine his availability for selection” for the first Test at Lord’s.

“Everyone at RCB wishes Jacob a speedy recovery and the very best for his rehabilitation process,” the franchise said in a statement.

Bethell is due to bat at No 3 in the first Test after scoring his maiden hundred in England’s most recent Test innings, against Australia at the SCG in January.

However, he struggled for form in the IPL, scoring just 96 runs in seven innings.

CMC