England’s win over South Africa in Southampton was remarkable for the 342-run margin, yet the lasting image was Jacob Bethell punching the air as his cover-driven boundary sealed a maiden international century. The 21-year-old left-hander, who turns 22 next month, said the innings left him “addicted” to the feeling and, more pragmatically, may have nudged him closer to an Ashes berth later this year.
Key facts first. England’s 414 for 5 was their highest one-day total against South Africa. Bethell’s 110 from 82 balls made him the country’s second-youngest men’s ODI centurion. He shared 182 with Joe Root, himself fresh from a run-a-ball hundred. South Africa never came close, rolled for 72 inside 18 overs.
“I’m hoping to be in the squad and if I’m in the squad, it’s only one thing that has to happen – in terms of an injury or something like that – and I’m in, and I’ve got to be ready to perform,” Bethell said. “I don’t know if these runs mean anything [towards selection] but I don’t think they can hurt. If the opportunity arises, I’ll hopefully be there to take it.”
The buildup
Bethell has already played four Tests, all in New Zealand last winter, compiling three fifties at No. 3. Those performances increased the pressure on Ollie Pope, although a spell at the IPL kept the youngster out of the Zimbabwe series and Pope’s 171 at Lord’s steadied his position. A quieter summer against India (304 runs at 34) reopened the debate. Selectors, eyeing the five-Test trip to Australia starting in Brisbane in November, seem certain to take Bethell as spare batter. Whether he stays spare is now the question.
The innings
England promoted him from No. 6 to No. 4 at Lord’s last week to counter South Africa’s spinners. That went well enough (58 off 40) for the experiment to continue in Southampton. Again the left-hander arrived with spin on, again he advanced down the track, swept hard and forced South Africa to retreat into their seamers. When those seamers missed, he cut and pulled; when they landed, he drove through extra-cover – the shot that completed his ton.
“It was pretty special,” he said. “Just goosebumps, to be honest. As soon as I laced it in the gap – it couldn’t have hit more the middle of my bat – and it just raced to the boundary. I didn’t really know what I did. It was a bit of a blur to be honest, but it was a great feeling… It was unbelievable. It feels like an addictive feeling, so hopefully there’s a few more of them to come.”
The role going forward
Harry Brook customarily owns the No. 4 spot, so Bethell expects to revert to his usual middle-order duties. “I like coming in and facing spin to start. I feel like if I can get going, especially with the one [extra] fielder up, there’s always a gap to hit… I don’t think Brooky will be stepping down from No. 4 anytime soon, so I’ll just be looking to do that whenever the opportunity arises.”
Family ties
The partnership with Root carried extra meaning. Bethell’s father, Graham, played club cricket at Sheffield Collegiate alongside Root’s father, Matt. “I was batting with him when he got his hundred at The Oval in the Thorpey Test match, and it was pretty special to be batting with him again when I got my first one,” Bethell reflected.
Root, for his part, was generous: “He’s very clear on how he wants to play his cricket… I’ve known him for a long time – since he was eight years old – so for him to play an in-”
(The quote ended mid-sentence in the transcript provided; the remainder was not available.)
Analysis
From a selection standpoint, England value multi-format adaptability. Bethell ticks that box with white-ball dynamism and the temperament he displayed in Wellington last February. His left-handedness offers variety in a right-heavy top order, while his occasional off-spin and sharp fielding deepen his case.
Australia, though, poses different examinations: Pat Cummins’ heavy length, Josh Hazlewood’s top-of-off relentlessness, Nathan Lyon’s overspin. Bethell’s brief Test sample showed compact defence but a tendency to drive early. Whether that transfers to the Gabba and the MCG remains unknown, yet his willingness to learn is evident.
Conclusion
There is no immediate vacancy in England’s top six, yet injuries and form can strike quickly on an Ashes tour. Bethell knows that. Another white-ball series, a few county outings and an autumn training camp lie between now and Brisbane. If he keeps churning runs – and keeps enjoying that “addictive feeling” – he may force the selectors’ hands sooner than expected.
