Jacob Bethell Steps Up in Ashes Test, Drawing on IPL Experience
Jacob Bethell was recalled for England's fourth Ashes Test in Melbourne, leveraging his seven weeks with Royal Challengers Bangalore in India to better handle the pressures of large crowds. The 22-year-old scored 40 runs off 46 balls in the second innings at the MCG, helping England avoid a whitewash by coming in at No 4 with 115 runs still required.
Bethell has yet to make a first-class century, having debuted last year in New Zealand with a near-miss 96, but he does hold a maiden ODI century against South Africa. He missed the one-off Test against Zimbabwe in May due to England not releasing players for IPL commitments, during which Ollie Pope scored 171 runs against India.
England’s team director Rob Key noted that Bethell's inclusion in Melbourne perhaps should have happened sooner and emphasized that there is no animosity between Pope and Bethell; in fact, Pope even gave him throwdowns before play. Bethell prefers batting at No 3, arguing this position offers better opportunities when the ball is new and gaps appear as bowlers attack.
The Sydney Test, starting on 4 January, offers Bethell another chance to cement his role and potentially secure the No 3 batting spot. His IPL stint with Royal Challengers Bangalore remains a formative experience, enhancing his ability to handle big-match pressure.
