In the third game of the series against South Africa on September 7 (Sunday) in Southampton, England batsman Jacob Bethell scored his first hundred in both professional cricket and One-Day Internationals (ODI).
With just 76 deliveries needed to reach his milestone, Bethell surpassed Alastair Cook’s record and became the youngest player in England to score a century after David Gower. By the way, Cook accomplished the same thing in Southampton in 2007.
The youngest batter from England to reach a century in ODIs
David Gower against. Pakistan, The Oval, 1978, 21y 55d
Australia vs. David Gower, Melbourne, 1979, 21y 209d
South Africa versus. Jacob Bethell, Southampton, 2025, 21y 319d
Bangladesh vs. Craig Kieswetter, 22y 97d, Chattogram, 2010
India vs. Alastair Cook, Southampton, 2007; 22y 239d
In chase of 331 runs, England lost the match at Lord’s by five runs, despite Bethell scoring 58 off 40 deliveries in the previous game. In addition to losing the opening game in Leeds by seven wickets, they had also lost the series. Along with Joe Root, the youthful player put on 182 off 144 for the third wicket, giving England the upper hand.
Before this knock, Bethell, who made his ODI debut in September 2024, had already hit four fifties. To England’s relief, he has now turned his fifth 50-plus score into a century.
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