Jacob Bethell’s rise to England’s Test team has been remarkably swift, and the 21-year-old is unfazed by his fast-tracked journey to the No 3 spot in the batting order. In just three months, Bethell has made his debut in three different formats, and his recent performance at Hagley Oval, where he contributed an unbeaten 50 to guide England to victory, reflects the confidence and swagger he brings to the game.
For a player whose first-class batting average is 25 and who rarely batted above No 4 for Warwickshire, stepping into the No 3 role in such a critical Test match could have been overwhelming. Yet, Bethell appears completely at ease. His approach to challenges in cricket has been one of continuous improvement. “Pretty much every time I’ve played against better people, I’ve played better,” Bethell explained. His rapid ascent to the international stage seems natural for him, as he has consistently risen to the occasion whenever faced with higher-level competition, whether in the Hundred or at the international level.
When asked if he had doubts about his ability to perform in Test cricket, his response was unequivocal: “Not at all.” Bethell’s confidence comes not only from his belief in his own ability but also from a long-standing desire to play at the highest level. “Ever since I was a little kid, I’ve always dreamed of playing Test cricket,” he shared. The dream came to life for him during the 2010-11 Ashes series, and since Brendon McCullum’s tenure as England’s coach, Bethell has been closely following the team, drawn to the attacking and dynamic brand of cricket that has characterized England’s Test play under McCullum’s leadership.
One of the notable features of Bethell’s rise is his comfort with being flexible in his batting position. Despite being a newcomer to the Test team, Bethell was slotted into the No 3 position in a reshuffle that saw Ollie Pope move to No 6. This was not a surprise to him; in fact, Bethell would have asked for it. “I like batting up the order,” he said. The opportunity to bat at No 3 was one he was eager to seize, and his performance proved he was more than capable of handling the pressure.
Bethell’s journey to England’s Test team is also marked by his varied background. Born in Barbados, he spent part of his youth there before moving to England at the age of 13 on a scholarship at Rugby School. His connection to Barbados remains strong, with cricketing legend Garfield Sobers being a close family friend who gave his blessing for Bethell to move to England. His cricketing journey in England took him to Warwickshire, where he has been part of the club since he was a teenager.
While Bethell’s rise to international cricket has been rapid, he has also had to adapt to a variety of roles. As a spin-bowling all-rounder, his role at Warwickshire has been less clearly defined compared to more traditional red-ball players. His focus has been on developing his back-foot game, which he honed while growing up in Barbados, where the pace and bounce of the pitches forced him to become adept at playing deliveries outside his off stump. This foundation has paid off in the Test arena, where his ability to tackle fast bowling has been impressive.
Bethell’s success is not only about his batting; his overall cricketing ability has allowed him to thrive in multiple formats. This versatility has also led to him securing a £256,000 contract with Royal Challengers Bangalore for the 2024 Indian Premier League, which will take him away from Warwickshire for the first seven rounds of the County Championship. While this may sideline him from domestic cricket, Bethell views the opportunity in the IPL as a chance to further develop his game. The experience of playing alongside top players in the IPL, especially someone like Virat Kohli, is something Bethell is looking forward to. “King Kohli” is a player he greatly admires, and the exposure to such high-level competition is expected to bring added depth to his cricketing journey.
Bethell’s rapid rise to Test cricket is a testament to his talent, confidence, and ability to adapt. His success has not been a result of mere chance, but a combination of hard work, flexibility, and an unwavering belief in his ability to succeed at the highest level. With his upcoming IPL experience and further opportunities in international cricket, Jacob Bethell’s career trajectory is one that will be closely watched in the coming years.
