In a significant moment for England cricket, young all-rounder Jacob Bethell has raced to his maiden century in the One-Day International format. The 21-year-old’s remarkable innings came in the third and final match of the ODI series against South Africa at The Rose Bowl in Southampton. This stellar performance is particularly noteworthy as it marks Bethell’s first-ever century across all three formats of professional cricket, First-Class, List A, and T20. His knock provided a crucial boost to the England side, setting the stage for a strong total.

Jacob Bethell smashes his maiden international hundred

Bethell’s maiden ODI century was a masterclass in controlled aggression and smart batting. After openers Ben Duckett and Jamie Smith provided a solid start with a 59-run partnership, Bethell came to the crease with the score at 117/2. He then found excellent support from the experienced Joe Root, and the duo proceeded to build a decisive 150-plus stand. While Root focused on rotating the strike and building the innings steadily, Bethell took on the responsibility of accelerating the scoring, reaching the three-figure mark in a brisk 76 balls. This performance further highlights his impressive career stats in the short time he has played ODI cricket. In just 15 matches, Bethell has already accumulated over 450 runs at a healthy average of more than 42 and a strike rate of nearly 100. This century is his fifth 50-plus score in ODIs, with two of them coming against the Proteas, showcasing his strong form against a formidable opponent.

Bethell etches his name into the record books

With his scintillating knock, Bethell has etched his name into the record books, joining an elite list of England cricketers. At the age of 21 years and 319 days, he became the second-youngest England batter to score an ODI century, surpassing Craig Kieswetter and placing himself behind only the legendary David Gower. Furthermore, his innings broke another significant record by becoming the highest ODI score by an England number 4 batter against South Africa, surpassing the previous record of 107 held by the 2019 World Cup-winning skipper John Morgan. The 82-ball, 110-run knock also secured him the eighth spot on the list of highest individual scores for England against South Africa in ODI cricket, a list that features several English greats, including If Buttlerwho holds the top spot. Bethell’s powerful and record-breaking performance not only bolstered England’s total but also cemented his status as a bright young talent with a promising future in international cricket.

Here’s how fans reacted: