England’s young player Jacob Bethell wants to build on his strong performance in Melbourne and secure the No. 3 spot with another solid display in the final Ashes Test against Australia in Sydney.
Bethell played a key role in England’s four-wicket victory over Australia in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG. The bold left-hander demonstrated maturity beyond his years by scoring a crucial 40 runs in the final innings, helping his team reach the victory target.
This was Bethell’s first chance in the Ashes series since the reliable Ollie Pope was chosen for the opening three Tests, which did not go well for England. The 22-year-old is likely to get another opportunity to claim the key spot when the series finale starts in Sydney on January 4.
“I like three,” Bethell said.
“You come in when the ball is new. In some cases, the ball’s moving everywhere, but in others, it gives chances to score when bowlers are trying to get wickets and the field is attacking. There are lots of gaps.
“I still have a lot more to do to call it my position.
“I would like to make the spot my own. I want to nail down any role in the team. If I’m in the XI and helping the team win, I’m happy with that.”
Bethell mentioned that his time in the Indian Premier League with Royal Challengers Bangalore prepared him for the important setting of a Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. He had already experienced playing before large crowds.
“It’s knowing what I’m able to bring out of myself in situations like that and when the atmosphere is intense,” Bethell said about the crowd of over 90,000 at the MCG.
“I definitely felt more confident going into this game after playing in front of, I don’t know, 50,000 — which felt like 100,000 — in Bengaluru.”
While Ben Stokes did not guarantee Bethell the key No. 3 spot in future Tests, the England captain suggested that Bethell’s performance in Melbourne would likely earn him another chance in that important role.
“It certainly doesn’t hurt him,” Stokes said after the win in Melbourne.
“He played well under pressure with how the team was performing before this game.
“He faced an unplayable delivery in the first innings. To go out there and play like he did shows a lot about his character and the confidence he has in himself.
“So yes, this is definitely something for Beth to build on.”
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