Baz leaves Bethell a shot at an Ashes slot

MCCULLUM SEES HUGE FUTURE FOR 'LEADER'

- Ian Baker

BRENDON McCULLUM has told new England star Jacob Bethell that the Ashes side is not set in stone.

Bethell smashed his maiden century in professional cricket as the Three Lions hammered South Africa in Sunday’s third and final ODI in Southampton.

England’s Test batting lineup of Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, right, and Jamie Smith has always looked guaranteed for November's first Ashes Test in Perth.

But McCullum has opened up the door for change — especially with Bethell, just 21, captaining the T20 side in Ireland this month.

The England head coach, above, said: “Have we got leadership qualities. He's a huge player.