Jacob Bethell is heading into the T20 World Cup in good form, with the tournament being his first opportunity to feature in an ICC event since making his England debut in the same format 17 months ago.
Bethell had been in line to play in the ICC Champions Trophy last year, but was ruled out through injury.
In his most recent appearance, Bethell took the last four wickets in eight balls to secure victory and ensure his team’s spotless record in a three-match series against Sri Lanka.
The tournament kicks off on Saturday 7 February, with three games being played, started by Pakistan vs Netherlands.
England play their first match the day after, on 8 February, as they face Nepal for the first time in their history.
Bethell was at his best with ball in hand during the third T20, and spun Sri Lanka out from a position of dominance.
When he took the ball for the start of the 18th over, Sri Lanka needed 21 to win from 18 balls with four wickets in hand.
A relatively simple equation by modern T20 batting standards, but by the end of the over, Sri Lanka were nine and on the cusp of defeat. The third wicket of that over all but put the nail in the coffin, with captain Dasun Shanaka skipping past a ragging delivery to be stumped.
Liam Dawson followed that up with a typically misely 19th over, only conceding two runs, before Bethell returned to make the telling blow, caught by Dawson, to round off an excellent series result for England.
Spin is likely to play a key part in the World Cup, which is being held in India and Sri Lanka, meaning that Bethell is inline to be an essential member as one of England’s top spin-bowling all-rounders.
England took an additional five wickets of spin in the third T20 to add to Bethell’s four, the most they’ve taken in an IT20 innings, the previous being seven.
Bethell has had a strong winter with England and showed during the recent Ashes series that he has the quality and temperament it takes to perform on the biggest stage.
Could this World Cup be another coming-of-age moment for England and Warwickshire’s bright young talent?
England face West Indies (Feb 11), Scotland (Feb 14) and Italy (Feb 16) in the remainder of their group games, as they look to reclaim the title they last lifted in Melbourne in 2022.
Adding to that their 2010 title, if they were to secure the trophy in 2026, they would become the most successful team in the competition’s history.
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