Jacob Bethell answered his critics with a timely return to form, producing a composed half-century in the series-deciding third ODI against India at Lord's on July 19. Opening the innings, the left-hander brought up his fifty in 51 balls, as England cruised past 100 without losing a wicket.
His knock featured positive strokeplay, including a six and several boundaries, while he stitched together a century opening stand with Ben Duckett to put India under immense pressure. Bethell's innings was especially significant because it ended a difficult run with the bat.
In the second ODI at Cardiff, he was dismissed cheaply as England's chase was rescued by Joe Root's unbeaten 99, while his recent white-ball outings had lacked the consistency expected from one of England's brightest young talents. The 22-year-old showed far better shot selection and patience at Lord's, resisting the temptation to attack every delivery and instead building his innings methodically before accelerating.
Bethell already had an impressive ODI record before this match, scoring 621 runs in 23 matches at an average of 31.1, including one century and five fifties, with a highest score of 110. The knock has further strengthened those numbers and highlighted why England continue to back him as a long-term top-order option.
At a crucial stage of the series, Bethell delivered when England needed him most, turning a lean patch into a confidence-boosting performance with a mature and fluent innings that laid the perfect platform for the hosts.
Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell's century stand gives England dream start at Lord's
England's opening pair of Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell laid the ideal foundation in the series-deciding third ODI against India at Lord's on July 19, producing a commanding century partnership that immediately put the visitors on the back foot. After Harry Brook won the toss and opted to bat first, the left-handed duo combined caution with controlled aggression, rotating the strike regularly while punishing loose deliveries from India's pace attack.
They added 123* runs for the first wicket without giving India a single breakthrough, making it England's highest opening stand of the three-match series. Bethell led the scoring with a fluent 60 off 60 balls, bringing up his half-century in just 51 deliveries.
The partnership came at a healthy run rate of more than 6 runs per over, denying India's bowlers any early momentum despite the introduction of both pace and spin. Arshdeep Singh, Prince Yadav and Gurnoor Brar all struggled to find movement or consistent lines, while Axar Patel was unable to break the stand after being introduced into the attack. The opening pair mixed elegant drives, well-placed cuts and aggressive pulls, forcing India to spread the field much earlier than expected.
Their stand also continued England's successful experiment of promoting Bethell to open alongside Duckett, with the young left-hander showing increasing comfort in the role. At a venue where early wickets often dictate the course of an ODI, Duckett and Bethell's unbeaten century partnership gave England complete control of the contest and provided the perfect platform for a daunting first-innings total.
