Who is Jacob Bethell and what did he achieve in the Ashes?

Jacob Bethell is a 22-year-old English cricketer who scored an unbeaten 142 in the fifth Ashes Test, his first century in the series.

What is Bazball and why is Jacob Bethell's innings significant?

Bazball is England's aggressive batting strategy. Bethell's patient and classical innings in the Ashes has led to questions about the efficacy and future of this approach.

Why was Jacob Bethell not selected earlier for the Ashes?

There is speculation and debate among commentators and journalists about why Jacob Bethell, despite his talent, was not given an earlier opportunity to play in the Ashes series.

Home / Sports / Bethell's 142* Stuns Ashes, Questions Bazball Future

Bethell's 142* Stuns Ashes, Questions Bazball Future

8 Jan

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Summary

Jacob Bethell scored an unbeaten 142 on Day 4, a rare century for England this series.
His composed batting performance contrasted with criticized dismissals of other England batsmen.
Commentators questioned the future of Bazball and Bethell's delayed inclusion in the team.

Bethell's 142* Stuns Ashes, Questions Bazball Future

In the fifth Ashes Test, Jacob Bethell emerged as a beacon of hope for England on Day 4, remaining unbeaten on 142. This impressive century, his first in only his sixth Test match, stood out as a rare achievement for an English batsman in the series. Bethell's composed and technically proficient play provided a stark contrast to the struggles and criticisms faced by other key English players throughout the tour, including Ben Duckett, Zak Crawley, and Harry Brook.

The performance has inevitably fueled discussions regarding the future of the 'Bazball' approach, championed by Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes. While Bazball is known for its aggressive style, Bethell's patient innings has led seasoned observers like Michael Vaughan to advocate for a more classic Test match batting technique, even suggesting a preference for Bethell over the highly-rated Harry Brook. Questions have also been raised about Bethell's delayed opportunity, with some suggesting he should have been given more game time earlier.