LONDON — England’s promising young all-rounder Jacob Bethell has reflected candidly on his challenging 2025 home international season, admitting he "probably should have played a bit more" to accelerate his development at the highest level. The 21-year-old Barbados-born cricketer, highly rated for his explosive left-handed batting and handy left-arm spin, found himself in and out of the side across formats, a situation he believes was a necessary, if frustrating, part of his cricketing education.
Bethell, who made his senior England debut in late 2024, was a fixture in the squads throughout the summer but often found himself carrying the drinks as the selectors juggled a congested schedule and a wealth of multi-format talent. Speaking at the end of the home international season, Bethell acknowledged the learning experience but expressed a burning desire for more consistent time in the middle. "It's been an incredible honour to be around the group all summer, learning from the likes of Stokes, Root, and Buttler," he said. "But as a competitor, you always want to be out there. In hindsight, maybe I should have played more to find that rhythm, but I understand the selectors have a tough job balancing everything."
A Summer of Learning and Patience
The 2025 summer was a grueling one for England, featuring a marquee Test series against Australia, followed by white-ball series against India and South Africa. Bethell featured prominently in the T20I and ODI setups but was often the man squeezed out when the final XI was named. His primary contributions came in the format where he first made his name: T20 cricket. A blistering 45 off 18 balls in a rain-affected T20I against South Africa at Cardiff was a standout performance, showcasing the clean striking that has drawn comparisons to a young Eoin Morgan.
However, opportunities in the 50-over format were scarcer. With the established core of Jonny Bairstow, Phil Salt, and Harry Brook occupying the top order, and all-rounders like Liam Livingstone and Will Jacks providing spin options, breaking into the ODI side proved difficult. Bethell’s only ODI start came in a dead-rubber fixture against India at The Oval, where he scored a patient 31 before being dismissed by Kuldeep Yadav. "That innings was a lesson in itself," Bethell reflected. "It's a different tempo to franchise cricket. You have to build, absorb pressure, and pick your moments. I would have loved three or four more cracks at it to really bed in those lessons."
The Selectors' Perspective
England’s director of cricket, Rob Key, and head coach Brendon McCullum have consistently preached a long-term vision for Bethell. They view him as a central figure in the post-2027 World Cup cycle and have been cautious about throwing him into the deep end too early. Key, in a recent press conference, addressed the management of young talent like Bethell: "With players of Jacob's immense talent, there's a balance to be struck. You want them to play, but you also want them to learn, to understand the intensity of international cricket without the immediate pressure of performance."
This philosophy of integration over immersion has been a hallmark of the current regime. The benefits for Bethell were not found on the stats sheet but in the daily grind of the international environment:
- Net Quality: Facing the world-class bowling of Jofra Archer and Mark Wood in the nets.
- Tactical Awareness: Being involved in team meetings and strategy sessions.
- Professional Standards: Learning the physical and mental preparation required for a full international summer.
The Franchise Cricket Conundrum
Despite his limited international game time, Bethell remained a hot property in the global franchise circuit, turning out in the IPL and The Hundred. This led to some debate among pundits and fans about whether a young player should be gaining experience in domestic leagues abroad if they are not regulars for their national side. Former England captain Michael Vaughan commented on the issue, stating, "It's a tricky one. The franchise money is life-changing, and the experience is valuable. But there's no substitute for playing international cricket in front of your home crowds. That's where you are truly tested."
Bethell himself sees value in both pathways. "The Hundred was fantastic for me. I got to play high-pressure games at Lord's and The Oval, which is invaluable. But it's different. Putting on the England shirt, there's an extra weight of expectation, a pride that you can't replicate anywhere else. That's why I wanted more of it this summer." His performances for the Birmingham Phoenix, where he was one of the tournament's leading run-scorers, only intensified calls for his more frequent inclusion in the national side.
Looking Ahead to a Busy Winter
With the home summer concluded, Bethell’s focus now shifts to a critical winter schedule. England have tours of Pakistan and the West Indies, formats where his skills are perfectly suited. It is widely anticipated that he will be given a more extended run in the side, particularly in the T20I squad as England begin their build-up to the 2026 T20 World Cup in India. National selector Luke Wright has hinted at more opportunities for the younger cohort, saying, "The summer was about exposure. The winter will be about application. We want to see these lads take the next step and own their places."
For Bethell, the goal is clear: to transform from a squad player into a undroppable member of the first XI. "I've had a taste of it now—the atmosphere, the pressure, the standard. It's made me hungrier than ever. I'll be working on my bowling to become a genuine four-over option and tightening my technique against high-quality seam. I don't just want to be in the squad next summer; I want to be a match-winner in the team."
His maturity in analysing his own situation has impressed the coaching staff. Rather than expressing public discontent, he has channelled his frustration into a determined resolve to improve. The admission that he "should have played more" is not a criticism of the selectors but a self-assessment of a driven athlete who believes he is ready for the added responsibility. The winter tours will provide the perfect stage to prove it.