England’s Jacob Bethell was “all smiles” after a match-winning T20 knock against India that he will treasure above his name-making Ashes century in Sydney.
Bethell produced a clinical 76 not out to seal his side’s four-wicket victory at Emirates Old Trafford, timing his charge to perfection as he steered a successful chase of 191.
After initially playing second fiddle to a blazing cameo from captain Harry Brook (39 from 15 balls), Bethell carried England deep into their innings then exploded into life in the 17th over.
Ravi Bishnoi conceded two free hits for front-foot no-balls and Bethell despatched both over the ropes for six as Bishnoi gave away 29 in six legal deliveries.
That proved the pivotal passage of play, leaving Bethell to reflect on one of his favourite knocks for England.
His stunning 154 in the final Test against Australia this winter is perhaps his most celebrated and there was a defiant 105 in the T20 World Cup semi-final against India back in March, but both of those statement performances ended with the bitter taste of defeat.
“This one, I’d actually put close to the top,” he said after putting England 1-0 up with three to play following a washed-out opener at Chester-le-Street.
“I’ve scored a few hundreds but only one of them was in a winning cause. We lost in Australia, we lost in India. So both of those games, you kind of look and go…’I needed to do more’, whereas today I’m all smiles.
“I’m very pleased. There’s nothing sweeter as a batter than walking off with a win, not out, shaking the boys’ hands. There’s a few scars against India so it’s nice to get one up on them.”
Bethell’s heroics stole the spotlight from the 15-year-old prodigy in the away dressing room, with Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s record-breaking debut pushed to the side.
The schoolboy was simultaneously the leading run-scorer, leading six-hitter and most valuable player at this year’s Indian Premier League and announced himself on the world stage in Manchester by launching two huge sixes into the stands in his first seven balls at the crease.
It was fearless, flamboyant stroke-play from one of the most exciting prospects there has ever been but despite thumping Jofra Archer and Josh Tongue into the stands, his contribution lacked the staying power of England’s finisher.
At 22, Bethell is not used to being the elder statesman – but he tipped his cap to Sooryavanshi, whose story is only just beginning.
“It feels weird to say that I’m playing against someone seven years younger than me, but he is an unbelievable talent,” he said.
“I’ve watched him back in India, I’ve watched him today and the swing he has is so pure.”
Ishan Kishan, the world’s number one T20 batter, accepted that the tourists gave the game away in the momentum-shifting 17th over.
England needed 49 off 24 balls when Bishnoi began his final set, with his back-foot errors allowing Bethell the freedom to put his foot down and seize the moment.
“We thought we had the game, but getting those free hits made it easier for Bethell to release the pressure,” he said.
“He was in the middle a long time and he understood when to charge and who to charge. Bethell batted beautifully but what we could do better is not give him those extra balls next time.”
