England are set to take on Zimbabwe in a one-off four-day Test at Trent Bridge later this month, serving as preparation for their highly anticipated five-match home series against India starting in June. Although the fixture isn't part of the ICC World Test Championship, it gives England a chance to fine-tune their squad, especially with several players returning to the red-ball format. However, the 13-member squad named for the May 22 match hasn’t impressed everyone. Former England captain Mike Atherton has criticised the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) for excluding young allrounder Jacob Bethell, who impressed during the Test tour of New Zealand earlier this year. The 21-year-old Bethell, currently with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2025, made his Test debut in New Zealand, where he scored three fifties in as many matches and averaged over 50. Despite that performance, Bethell has not been recalled, as he continues to fulfil his IPL contract. “My own view is that Bethell should have been picked. That’s the point of an England central contract – that you’ve got control over your players. If you’re going to give a player a full central contract – which Bethell received after his form in New Zealand – then you should bring him back for a Test,” Atherton said on Sky Sports. Also READ: Virat Kohli's Test Future: Why India Still Needs Him Now "International games should come first" Atherton also voiced his disagreement with the ECB’s stance of letting players complete their IPL commitments even when national fixtures are scheduled. “It’s a Test match. It’s an international fixture and international fixtures should have priority over domestic franchise competition. I know the policy is players should see through their IPL deals, but I don’t particularly agree with it,” he said. He also noted that Bethell’s continued presence in the IPL may have helped the selectors avoid a tough call regarding team selection. With Jamie Smith returning after paternity leave and Jordan Cox once again sidelined due to injury, the selectors have stuck with Zak Crawley and Ollie Pope, both of whom have been under pressure due to a lack of runs. “In many ways, it saved the selectors from a very difficult call. Bethell looked the part in New Zealand, but with Smith coming back, it would have been tricky. They might have added Bethell to the squad, but perhaps they’re relieved not to make that decision just yet." Bethell has played just three Tests so far but already has 260 runs to his name, including three half-centuries, and averages 52 with the bat.