Jacob Bethell injured: England batter suffers hamstring strain and expected to miss ICC Champions Trophy

England batter Jacob Bethell is set to miss the ICC Champions Trophy after suffering a left hamstring injury.

Bethell, 21, sustained the problem after scoring 51 batting at No 6 in the four-wicket defeat to India in the first ODI in Nagpur and missed Sunday's second match in Cuttack, which England also lost by four wickets.

The PA news agency reported on Sunday night that after feeling the pain in his upper left leg, Bethell is set to sidelined for between four and six weeks.

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England begin their Champions Trophy campaign - live on Sky Sports - against Australia on February 22, before further group matches versus Afghanistan (February 26) and South Africa (March 1).

England captain Jos Buttler said: "I'm pretty sure (Bethell) has been ruled out of the Champions Trophy, to be honest.

"That's really disappointing for him. Obviously, he played nicely the other day and has been one of the really exciting players. It's a shame that injury is going to rule him out."

Tom Banton, who last played for England in an ODI in August 2020, has been called up for the third ODI in India as cover.

Banton has been in outstanding form in the UAE ILT20 competition, amassing 493 runs from 11 innings at an average of 54.77, with two centuries and three fifties.

Bethell's absence would be big Champions Trophy blow

Bethell only made his England debut in September but has featured 22 times in all formats, racking up two fifties apiece in ODI and T20I cricket as well as three half-centuries during his maiden Test tour of New Zealand.

Should the left-hander indeed miss the Champions Trophy it would be a big blow for England as he also offers a left-arm spin-bowling option, while he is a superb fielder, too.

Bethell showed excellent patience with the bat in the first ODI against India as only he and Buttler posted scores of note, with former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior telling TNT Sports: "He strikes me as a very similar character as Joe Root when he first came into the team.

"Yes, he has the ability, yes, he has the shots, but the mental side of the game and the maturity that he showed in this innings was very similar to a young Root.

"I know that is a big comment but you say it as you see it. There were more experienced cricketers in this England batting line-up that didn't bat with that maturity.

"He looked like he had been playing a long time in India. He had a game-plan and had the confidence to stick to it."

Wicketkeeper-batter Jamie Smith, sidelined since midway through the T20 series with a calf problem, could return in Ahmedabad on Wednesday but with the Champions Trophy looming England are unlikely to take any major risks.

England in India - results and fixtures 🏏

All times UK and Ireland ⏰

• First T20 (Kolkata): January 22 - India won by seven wickets 🔵
• Second T20 (Chennai): January 25 - India won by two wickets 🔵
• Third T20 (Rajkot): January 28 - England won by 26 runs 🔴
• Fourth T20 (Pune): January 31 - India won by 15 runs 🔵
• Fifth T20 (Mumbai): February 2 - India won by 150 runs 🔵
  
• First ODI (Nagpur): February 6 - India won by four wickets 🔵
• Second ODI (Cuttack): February 9 - India won by four wickets 🔵
• Third ODI (Ahmedabad): Wednesday February 12 (8am) 🕗

Watch every match from the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy live on Sky Sports between February 19 and March 9. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract on NOW.