Jacob Bethell insists there is no internal “rivalry” with Ollie Pope as both men chase England’s number three in the Ashes.
Pope was the incumbent at the first long-term drop, but the emergence of Bethell – which made him England’s youngest captain when he led the T20 series in Ireland last month – has boosted the competition.
The 21-year-old is part of the white-ball squad that traveled to New Zealand on Friday, and he has six limited-overs matches to show what he can do before the final call-up for the first Test against Australia.
But with both men desperate to get the appointment in Perth on November 21, Bethell insists there is no tension.
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Rivalry
“Me and Popey get along really well, I wouldn’t call it a rivalry,” he told Sky Sports News at the Toyota PCA Awards.
“There’s a lot of talking and noise from outside, but it doesn’t really penetrate the camp. I get along very well with Popey, we practice very well together.
“He is clearly the batsman competing for the number three spot. He has that spot and he has done incredibly well.
“I can’t fault him at all. He’s a big part of the team, so I wish him the best.”
(Danny Lawson/PA)
Tension
Bethell cannot hide his excitement at the prospect of helping fight for the urn, adding: “I remember seeing it on TV and seeing the sheer intensity of it all.
“I’m really drawn to it. It would be a dream to play in it.”
England will play the first of three T20s in Christchurch on October 18, followed by a three-match ODI series.
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