Jacob Bethell has revealed he got news of his selection for the senior England team with a call from Marcus Trescothick at his Birmingham apartment – while he was in the kitchen cooking fried eggs!
It’s not quite how Bethell envisaged learning of the latest chapter in his rapid rise in the game following his arrival in the UK from Barbados as a 13-year-old schoolboy.
“It was all a bit unreal,” said the 20-year-old, who’s been picked for both the IT20 and ODI white ball squads next month against Australia.
“I’d had a lie-in and was making lunch when the call came through from Marcus Trescothick (England coach). There had been some speculation I might be included but didn’t want to get my hopes up until it was concrete.
“I was on the phone to my family and friends afterwards and when it was announced publicly I must have had more than 100 messages. Pride was the overriding feeling. It was a special moment.
“It’s flattering to have people with high standings in the game, top calibre cricketers speak highly of me and to mention me in England circles. Hopefully, I can go out in an England shirt, put in some good performances and show it’s deserved.”
Bethell joined Warwickshire’s Youth Pathway at Under-14s and quickly progressed into the Emerging Player Programme and Academy before signing as a 17-year-old in 2021.
He starred as part of the England Under-19 team that reached the World Cup final in 2022 – hitting 88 from 42 balls in the Quarter-Final against South Africa – and the following year made two half-centuries on the England Lions tour of Sri Lanka.
The all-rounder – who made his Bears debut in June 2021 and has gone on to play 63 times for Warwickshire in all formats – feels he’s now ready to test himself at the highest level.
He added: “I had a bit of a reset last winter. I took a couple of months off before Christmas, to get my body sorted, a bit of a revamp of my game, and it definitely helped.
“I’ve put in a lot of hard work since and it’s paid off. Hopefully, it’s just the start.
“Growing up I’ve always looked at England squads when they’re announced on social media, England posts on Instagram with Jos Buttler on the cover. He’s on the cover again…only this time my name is there as well.
“It’s unreal. But I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be incredible to rub shoulders with these guys but I’ve played against a lot of them now, and with them. There are some familiar faces in the squad.
“I just want to get involved, learn as much as I can off those boys and the coaches, and enjoy the experience.”
Over 13,500 tickets sold for T20 quarter-final
For a third year in a row, Bears have secured a home Vitality Blast quarter-final against Gloucestershire on Friday 6 September. And tickets are going fast!
Over 13,500 tickets have already been sold. Adults tickets are available for only £20, if purchased in advance, while U16s are £5.
