England's Bethell receives contract upgrade after impressive test debut
England batter Jacob Bethell has been awarded a central contract upgrade, signing a two-year extension until September 2026, the country's cricket board (ECB) said on Wednesday.
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England batter Jacob Bethell has been awarded a central contract upgrade, signing a two-year extension until September 2026, the country's cricket board (ECB) said on Wednesday.
Ollie Pope is set to continue as England wicketkeeper in the absence of an injured Jordan Cox, with the visitors naming an unchanged playing eleven for the second of their three-test series against New Zealand on Wednesday.
England's young star Jacob Bethell is looking forward to playing alongside Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and India stalwart Virat Kohli in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Bethell became RCB's latest acquisition in the recent IPL 2025 mega auction for Rs 2.6 crore. The 21-year-old attracted bids from Sunrisers Hyderabad and Punjab Kings but both franchises failed to overcome RCB's resolve. Bethell will link up with his England teammates Phil Salt and Liam Livingstone at RCB but it is Virat he is most excited to rub shoulders with. "It's a bit of a given, isn't it? "Virat! He's a great of the game so... King Kohli," Bethell said, with a wry smile, as quoted from ESPNcricinfo.
England shattered records with another 'Bazball' run-chase of 104 runs during the first Test against New Zealand at Christchurch's Hagley Oval on Sunday, taking the least amount of overs to complete a 100-plus run chase in history of Test cricket. Set a target of 104 runs, England did lose Zak Crawley for just one run, but knocks from Ben Duckett (27 in 18 balls, with four boundaries and a six), Jacob Bethell, the Test debutant (50* in 37 balls, with eight fours and a six) and Joe Root (23* in 15 balls, with three boundaries and a six) helped them complete the chase in just 12.4 overs, the fastest-ever in Test history. Previously, the record was held by the losing side, NZ, who had chased down 109 against Bangladesh in 18.4 overs back in 2017 at the same venue.
:Brydon Carse took six for 42 before England comfortably chased down their 104-run victory target in the first test against New Zealand on Sunday to win by eight wickets and take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
A sustained seam attack by Chris Woakes and Brydon Carse following a belligerent batting effort saw England on the verge of wrapping up the first Test at stumps on day three in Christchurch on Saturday. New Zealand were 155-6 at the close, ahead by just four runs and with only four wickets remaining. Daryl Mitchell was not out 31 with Nathan Smith on one. England made 499 in their first innings, an imposing 151-run lead, led by Harry Brook's 171. "We're in an amazing position to go on and win the game," said Brook, who benefitted from five dropped catches. "I had a lot of luck, didn't I. and thankfully I cashed in."
:Harry Brook scored a brilliant century to drag England right back into the first test in Christchurch on Friday, driving the tourists to within 29 runs of New Zealand's tally of 348 on 319 for five at the end of day two.
England lost Zak Crawley, Jacob Bethell and Joe Root cheaply to reach lunch on 45-3 after finally bowling out New Zealand for 348 on the second day of the first test at Christchurch's Hagley Oval on Friday.