Christchurch, 2 December (IANS). After scoring an unbeaten 50 off 37 balls, including the winning run, in England’s 8-wicket win over New Zealand in the first Test, batsman Jacob Bethel said he would not have made his debut if he had not been given a surprise invitation by the team think-tank. But asked to bat at number 3.
“No. I mean maybe it was a surprise (on one level), but honestly I would have asked for it. I like to bat higher up the order. So yes, I was really happy that I got the opportunity. It was everything I dreamed of. “Ever since I was a little kid, I have always dreamed of playing Test cricket.”
“I always wanted to bat in the top four, so the third position is perfect. I think my game is suitable for any style of play. We saw a little more aggression (in the second innings), but I can handle a little pressure. I am sure there will be opportunities to do this many times in my career.”
“I remember watching the 2010/11 Ashes and I wanted to be a part of it,” Bethel told reporters. Ever since Baez (Brendon McCullum) took the reins, I’ve watched on TV and thought, ‘How fun does this look?’ And it lived up to expectations.”
Asked if he had any doubts about performing well in Tests after making his white-ball debut in September, Bethel said, “Absolutely not. Whenever I have played against better people, I have played better. Step into The Hundred? Played better. Directly in international matches? Played better. I really had no doubt in my mind that I would do well before I came into Test cricket.”
“Whether we were talking to each other in the shed, batting, bowling, fielding, it was all good. This was my first experience when I got a chance to play on full grass, clean outfield, good pitches and against a good team, so it was great.”
Bethel expressed his excitement over being signed by Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction, where he will be teammates with the talismanic Virat Kohli.
“I think it will do a lot for me. It’s kind of settled, isn’t it!? Virat Kohli. He is a great player of the game – King Kohli. Any young foreign player who has been here has come back with a wealth of experience.”
-IANS
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