England captain Ben Stokes acknowledged Jacob Bethell’s impressive start to international cricket, following the 21-year-old’s standout performances against New Zealand. Bethell, debuting in the series opener in Christchurch, scored an unbeaten 50 at number three, a position he had never played in first-class cricket, and followed it with a remarkable 96 in England’s series-clinching 323-run victory in Wellington.
Stokes remarked on the initial scepticism about Bethell’s promotion, emphasising the value of exposing young talent to high-pressure Test cricket. Despite narrowly missing a century in Wellington after edging behind Tim Southee, Bethell impressed with his confident approach, reportedly expressing regret only about not reaching the milestone with a stylish boundary.
Bethell’s opportunity arose due to unforeseen circumstances. Originally, Jordan Cox was set to keep wickets in place of Jamie Smith, who missed the tour for paternity leave. However, Cox’s thumb injury necessitated adjustments, moving Ollie Pope to number six and creating an opening for Bethell.
Stokes hinted that England’s usual lineup, with Pope at three and Smith keeping, would return in the summer but acknowledged Bethell’s performances provided valuable flexibility.
Meanwhile, Harry Brook earned player-of-the-match honours for his first-innings 123 in Wellington but is nursing a sore ankle, casting slight doubt over his participation in the third Test in Hamilton.
England’s series victory marks their first away triumph in two years and the first in New Zealand since 2008. A win in Hamilton would secure a historic 3-0 series sweep.