Introducing Jacob Bethell – 5 things you didn’t known about the England all-rounder
Young England batsman Jacob Bethell made his Test debut against New Zealand on Thursday when he took to the field in the first Test against New Zealand in Christchurch. Just 21 years old, he already has eight ODI’s and seven T20Is to his credit.
But with just 20 First class games to his credit, and no centuries to his name, it could be said that his selection is a risk – especially considering that he’s slated to bat at number three.
Skipper Ben Stokes defended Bethell’s selection saying: “Bethell coming in gives him an opportunity up the order, as opposed to just sort of filtering down and not being able to impose himself on the game.
“He’s an incredibly talented kid. I think when you look at someone like Jacob, you can just see the ceiling that he has.
“We’ve always done what we feel is right for the team. It’s gone in our favour quite a lot. So, I think we do know what we’re doing. There is thought and there is process towards it, even if it does raise a few eyebrows. We’re not picking people just to wind people up…”
So, who exactly is Jacob Bethell and what can fans expect of him. Here’s five facts about the youngster that you may not have known.
1. He could be playing for the West Indies
Bethell was born in Barbados, and he lived there until he was a teenager. He only moved to the UK when he won a scholarship to study at Rugby School. Once in England he joined Warwickshire and played for their youth teams, signing a professional deal when he turned 17.
And while he is now a fully-fledged England international, he has retained the flair that is so often associated with West Indian cricket.
2. Star of the U19 World Cup
Although they didn’t win the event England made the final and Bethell played some sensational knocks along the way – not least his innings of 88 from 42 balls against South Africa which won him the man-of-the-match award.
Read more: Who has hit the most Test centuries for Australia?
3. More than just a batsman
As much as Bethell has been selected to bat at number three for England in the Test series against New Zealand, he has plenty of other skills in his kitbag.
While batting is his strong-suit he is the perfect T20 player given his electric fielding abilities and his ability with the ball as well. Bowling left-arm orthodox he is an excellent contributor with the ball, able to keep it tight and get through his overs quickly.
4. He’s young, but not that young
In making his Test debut on Thursday, Bethell is just 21 years old. That is undoubtedly very young. But he is a long way off being England youngest ever Test debutant, and a whole lot further away from being the youngest ever debutant.
England’s youngest ever Test debutant is Rehan Ahmed, the Leicestershire leggie who was 18 years and 126 days old when he first featured against Pakistan in Karachi in 2022. In setting the record Ahmed passed the previous record of Brian Close – Close was 18 years and 149 days when he first played, against New Zealand at Old Trafford in 1949.
The youngest ever Test debutant was Pakistan’s Hasan Raza who was 14 years and 227 days when he made his debut for Pakistan in 1996.
5. No centuries but plenty to offer
A lot has been made of the fact that Bethell has never scored a First-Class century. Indeed, he hasn’t scored a ton in any senior form of the game. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t know what he is doing.
The dashing left-hander boasts a T20I average of 57.66, while he has a First-Class high score of 93 – with just 30 FC innings to his credit, usually batting in the middle order, there is still plenty of opportunity for him to grow and pass many milestones.
Read next: Is Ravichandran Ashwin India’s most prolific Test wicket-taker?
