Photo via Hindustan Times

‘Times have changed’: Marcus Trescothick doesn’t mind Jacob Bethell opening for England in Tests

Marcus Trescothick, who served as England's interim Test coach versus Pakistan when Stephen Fleming sat out the tour, has suggested moving away from relying strictly on specialist top-order batters. England have sought a steady partner for Ben Duckett ever since dropping Zak Crawley following a 4-1 Ashes loss earlier in the year.

63 across 11 innings with three half-centuries. 50 over five turns at the crease in place of the injured Jacob Bethell.

With Cox performing strongly and an upcoming Test tour to South Africa scheduled for December, Trescothick indicated that England could accommodate Bethell at the top of the order alongside Duckett. Bethell previously batted at first drop for the Test side, but he brings opening experience from both 50-over international cricket and Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL.

Noting that modern cricketers adjust rapidly due to frequent format shifts, Trescothick argued that selecting the finest available top seven outweighs maintaining traditional positional roles.