Bethell faces fitness race for South Africa Tests after being ruled out of Australia tour

Jacob Bethell is battling to be fit for England’s Test series in South Africa next month after being ruled out of the white-ball tour of Australia.

The 23-year-old underwent surgery on his right knee at the end of August and while he was not expected to be ready for the one-day internationals that start in Perth on Friday, it was hoped he would feature in the Twenty20s that follow.

But despite sitting out last weekend’s warm-up match at the Waca, early fitness work on tour has seen Bethell report swelling in the same knee. Scan results have been sent back to his specialist in the UK and his tour is now officially over.

With fast bowler Josh Tongue also ruled out of the tour last week due to a toe problem, the Sussex all-rounder James Coles and Hampshire seamer Eddie Jack – both in the senior T20 squad – are flying in early from the Lions series in the Caribbean.

A bystander at training on Wednesday, Bethell will travel home this weekend and undergo further assessment on a worrying issue that has kept him out of action since the third ODI against India at Lord’s back in July.

Given that absence, the left-hander’s chances of being picked for the first Test against South Africa that starts on 17 December may hinge on whether he can feature in the solitary warm-up match in Durban a week earlier.

Another route is to turn out for the Lions, with England’s second string flying to South Africa this month for three 50-over games and two first-class matches.