The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) confirmed the development in an official statement, saying that they will also assess the extent of injury picked up by Bethell and whether he will be fit in time to play England\u2019s first Test against New Zealand, to be played on June 4 at Lord\u2019s.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cThe England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has agreed with Royal Challengers Bangalore that top-order batter Jacob Bethell will return to the UK after sustaining a left ring finger injury while playing in the Indian Premier League.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHe will be fully assessed and monitored by the England Men\u2019s medical team on his return to determine his availability for selection for the Rothesay first Test against New Zealand at Lord\u2019s, starting on Thursday 4 June,\u201d it further said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Bethell, who had partnered Virat Kohli at the top of the order in recent weeks in Phil Salt\u2019s absence, had struggled for runs \u2013 amassing only 96 runs in seven games. He also sat out of RCB\u2019s last league stage match against Sunrisers Hyderabad due to the same injury, as Venkatesh Iyer opened the batting in his absence.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
\u201cHe will be fully assessed and monitored by the England Men\u2019s medical team on his return to determine his availability for selection for the Rothesay first Test against New Zealand at Lord\u2019s, starting on Thursday 4 June,\u201d it further said.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Defending champions RCB have qualified for the playoffs and will take on Gujarat Titans in the Qualifier 1 at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala on May 26. The winner will directly seal their slot in the final set to happen on May 31 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.<\/p>\r\n\r\n