Jacob Bethell closed England’s c xxxhase against New Zealand in Christchurch on Sunday as reached fifty off just 37 balls, making it the second-quickest fifty on Test debut.
England’s 21-year-old batter Jacob Bethell played at number three for the first time in his first-class career on Test debut against New Zealand in Christchurch this week.
Bethell was lauded his performance in the first innings, where he faced 34 balls against a challenging new ball spell, then cashed in when the game was virtually over in the second during a manic 104-run chase in 12.2 overs. Before pulling for six in what would end up being the game’s final over, the left-hander smashed eight fours, including four in five balls off fellow debutant, Kiwi rookie Nathan Smith. Bethell closed the chase as reached fifty off just 37 balls, making it the second-quickest fifty on Test debut.
Jacob Bethell is a promising young cricketer, who was born in the Caribbean island of Barbados. He has lately received recognition for his international cricket performances, having made his T20I debut for England against Australia on September 11, 2024. Bethell is an all-rounder renowned for his aggressive hitting style and left-arm orthodox spin bowling. In T20 cricket, he has a strike rate of 137.57. Meanwhile, Jacob Bethell was also picked for Rs. 2.60 crore by Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the IPL 2025 Mega Auction last week.
Earlier this month, Bethell also became the youngest Englishman to score a T20I fifty, scoring a half-century at the age of 21 years and 17 days against West Indies in Barbados, his birthplace.
Veteran Tim Southee, who is also one of the players caught in Bethell’s onslaught in the final stretch of his Test career, is incidentally the only player in Test history to reach a half-century on debut faster than the Englishman.
The argument around England’s choice to bat Bethell at No. 3 despite his lack of experience in the position and his inability to reach a first-class hundred was largely resolved by his knock. Nevertheless, Bethell has proven that he can handle the red ball just as effectively after making an impression in white-ball cricket for England in recent months.