- Jacob Bethell missed pre-match training as well as official team photographs
- England were thumped by hosts India, who reached the 133-run target with ease
- Gus Atkinson struggled with the ball and was smashed for 38 runs in two overs
Jamie Smith is in line for a Twenty20 international debut against India in Chennai on Saturday after Jacob Bethell missed pre-match training through illness.
Smith, 24, has won 16 caps for England across the other two formats, making an excellent start to his Test career in particular last summer and travelled to India as one of two wicketkeeping options alongside Phil Salt following the decision by Jos Buttler to give up the gloves and concentrate on captaincy.
However, one of the two glovemen will join Buttler in the outfield on Saturday if Bethell continues to feel unwell – in addition to practice, he also missed the official team tour photographs, taken on Friday.
One confirmed change from the England XI that was thrashed by seven wickets in the opening match of five in Kolkata on Wednesday is the recall of Brydon Carse in place of fellow seamer Gus Atkinson.
It was a night to forget for Surrey’s Atkinson at Eden Gardens: after scratching around for two off 13 balls with the bat, he was smashed for 38 runs in two overs as India chased down their 133-run target with 43 deliveries unused.
One of the reasons that England have not made a definitive call on their side yet – as has become the norm 24 hours out from a match during Brendon McCullum’s tenure as coach – is that Bethell’s absence would reduce their spin options at one of India’s most spin-friendly venues.
England 12: Salt (wkt), Duckett, Buttler, Brook, Livingstone, Smith/Bethell, Overton, Carse, Archer, Rashid, Wood
Jamie Smith has earned 16 caps in the other two formats but never featured in a T20I match
Jacob Bethell has been waylaid by sickness that is set to rule him out of Saturday’s clash
Gus Atkinson struggled with the ball and was thumped for 38 runs off of just two overs
