Jacob Bethell has emphasized his ability to perform better when facing higher standards. He aims to capitalize on a successful Test debut during England’s recent eight-wicket victory at Hagley Oval.
For many observers, the choice to place a 21-year-old player without a first-class century and averaging 25 in the crucial No 3 position was seen as a questionable decision by Bazball. It seemed to reflect a disconnect between the Test team and the county cricket system that nurtures its players.
But Ben Stokes defended the logic, memorably declaring before the first Test: ‘We’re not picking players just to wind people up.’
Despite primarily batting at No 4 for Warwickshire in just one of his 20 first-class games, Bethell rose to the occasion. He led the team’s charge by scoring a half-century off 37 balls as England successfully chased down 104 runs in a mere 12.4 overs.
Asked if he had harboured any doubts about his ability to succeed at the highest level, his answer was as confident as his strokeplay.
‘No. Not at all, really. Pretty much every time I’ve played against better people, I’ve played better. The step up to the Hundred, played better. Straight into internationals, played better. So I didn’t really have a doubt in my mind that, coming into Test cricket, I’d go well.’
Jacob Bethell revealed he was confident he would excel at Test level after his quick rise through the ranks
He hit a 37-ball half century as England chased down 104 to beat New Zealand in the first Test
Bethell’s path to the top has been well-documented. Born in Barbados, he was encouraged by West Indies legend Garry Sobers, a family friend, to further his career in England. He won a scholarship to Rugby, and trained for two hours every morning before school with Warwickshire, earning a contract at 17.
Now, in just over 11 weeks, he has made his international debut in all three formats, whacking Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa for 20 in an over in a T20 at Cardiff, and hitting a 22-ball 50 last month against West Indies in St Lucia. Then there’s the small matter of an IPL deal worth over £250,000 to join Virat Kohli’s Bangalore Royal Challengers.
But ever since following England’s 3-1 win in the 2010-11 Ashes on TV as a seven-year-old, it has been about the lure of Test cricket.
‘My debut was everything I’ve dreamed of,’ he said. ‘Since I was a little kid, I’ve always dreamed of playing Test cricket. I remember watching the Ashes, and any England Tests on TV, and wanting to be a part of it. And since Baz took over with Stokesy, I’ve watched it on TV and gone: “How fun that does that look?” It lived up to expectations.’
He looked especially destructive on the pull, a shot he honed in his teenage years.
‘I was very small growing up, so I didn’t really get a lot in my half up until I was about 16 or 17,’ he said. ‘I never had as much power on it, but I could still play it well, and now it’s just a decision on whether to hit it on the ground or hit it for six.’
Even while making only 10 in the first innings on the second morning at Hagley Oval, Bethell looked at home. Conditions were more difficult for batting than at any time in the match, and he lasted nearly 50 minutes before edging a good delivery from Nathan Smith.
‘It could have been a different story,’ he said. ‘I battled hard and unluckily didn’t make it through to lunch, but another day you get through and go on to make a big one.’
He admitted that he felt the cricket played under the Ben Stokes-Brendon McCullum partnership looked ‘fun’ from afar
Bethell’s move to No 3 came after Ollie Pope took the gloves, and he revealed he is happy anywhere in the top four
The absence of first-choice wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, leaving the gloves with Ollie Pope and creating the vacancy at No 3, means Bethell is likely to remain there for the final two Tests at Wellington – starting on Thursday night UK time – and Hamilton.
Does he expect to lose the role once Smith, currently on paternity leave, returns for the summer?
‘I’ve always wanted to bat in the top four, so three is perfect,’ he said. ‘But I’ll bat anywhere. If I’m in the team, I’m happy and if that means I bat seven or eight, I’ll have to do a job there.’
The only discordant note came when he was asked how he might work his way up the order at Warwickshire, having spent most of the summer at No 6 or 7 in their championship team.
‘Ah, we’re not going to go into that,’ he deadpanned. Even so, it will be a surprise if the batting order isn’t reshuffled at Edgbaston in time for the new summer.
