Who is Jacob Bethell? – Early Life & Background
Jacob Graham Bethell was born on 23 October 2003 in Bridgetown, Barbados. Growing up in a cricketing culture steeped in Caribbean tradition, Bethell demonstrated natural talent early on. His family’s love of cricket — especially his grandfather Arthur Bethell, who played first‑class cricket in Barbados — helped nurture his passion.
At age 12, Jacob moved to England on a private school scholarship, where he attended Rugby School and continued to develop as a cricketer under expert coaching. His performances at school level — including a record score of 202 in a major fixture — quickly caught the attention of county scouts.
Physical Attributes: Height & Build
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Height: Approximately 5 ft 10 in (178 cm).
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Batting Style: Left‑handed.
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Bowling Style: Slow left‑arm orthodox spin.
His athletic build and fielding prowess make him an asset in all three facets of the modern game — batting, bowling and fielding.
Domestic & County Career
Jacob Bethell began his professional journey in English county cricket after signing a three‑year contract with Warwickshire in January 2021.
Career Highlights in Domestic Cricket
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First‑class Debut: September 2021 for Warwickshire against Yorkshire.
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County Tournaments: Played in competitions like the T20 Blast and The Hundred — representing teams such as Birmingham Phoenix and Welsh Fire.
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Youth World Cup: Starred for England U‑19s at the 2022 ICC U‑19 World Cup, scoring 88 off just 42 balls in a crucial quarter‑final.
His domestic success paved the way for international selection and franchise opportunities.
International Career: England Debut & Rise
Jacob Bethell’s rapid ascent to international cricket is remarkable for a player so young.
Format Debuts
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T20I Debut: 11 September 2024 vs Australia.
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ODI Debut: 19 September 2024.
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Test Debut: 28 November 2024 vs New Zealand.
He soon made headlines by scoring a quickfire fifty on Test debut (50 off 37 balls)* — one of the fastest Test fifties by a debutant.
Leadership Milestone
In 2025, Bethell became England’s youngest ever men’s team captain in T20s at just 21 years old, breaking a historic record that hadn’t been challenged in over a century.
International & Format Stats (Updated)
Below is an overview of Bethell’s performance across formats (as per latest available records):
Batting
| Format | Matches | Runs | Highest Score | Average | Strike Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 3 | 260 | 96 | 52.00 | 75.14 |
| ODI | 9 | 218 | 55 | 31.14 | 80.15 |
| T20 | 10 | 196 | 62 | 32.67 | 147.37 |
| IPL | 2 | 67 | 55 | 33.50 | 171.80 |
Bowling
| Format | Matches | Wickets | Best Figures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Test | 3 | 3 | 3/72 |
| ODI | 9 | 5 | 2/33 |
| T20 | 10 | 0 | – |
| IPL | 2 | – | – |
His early figures confirm potential as a batting all‑rounder with useful part‑time spin skills.
IPL Career: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Jacob Bethell was purchased by Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the IPL 2025 Mega Auction for ₹2.6 crore.
RCB Performance
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IPL Debut: 27 April 2025 vs Delhi Capitals.
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Matches: 2
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Best Score: 55 (against Chennai Super Kings).
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Runs: 67 at 33.50 average in IPL.
Despite limited appearances, his performance against a strong CSK bowling lineup highlighted his power hitting and adaptability in T20 leagues.
In May 2025, Bethell left the IPL mid‑season to fulfill national team commitments with England.
Family & Personal Life
Parents
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Father: Graham Bethell.
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Mother: Not widely publicized but supportive of his cricket journey.
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Grandfather: Arthur Bethell, former Barbados first‑class cricketer.
Siblings
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Sister: Rebekah Bethell, who studies in England.
Though still early in his life, there’s no public record of a wife or long‑term partner — Bethell remains focused on his cricketing career.
Playing Style & Strengths
Jacob Bethell is known for:
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Explosive left‑handed batting with ability to attack from ball one.
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Useful left‑arm orthodox spin that can break partnerships.
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Electric fielding and athleticism.
Analysts describe him as a future mainstay in England’s white‑ball and Test squads given his composure and cricketing IQ.
Career Milestones
Here are some key achievements in Bethell’s career so far:
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Second‑fastest Test fifty on debut (37 balls).
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Youngest England men’s cricket captain (T20).
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Scored maiden professional century (110 in ODI vs South Africa).
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IPL half‑century for RCB in first franchise season.
FAQs About Jacob Bethell
Q: What is Jacob Bethell’s age?
A: Born 23 October 2003, Bethell is currently 22 years old.
Q: Where was Jacob Bethell born?
A: He was born in Bridgetown, Barbados.
Q: What teams does Jacob Bethell play for?
A: England (all formats), Warwickshire, RCB (IPL), Birmingham Phoenix, Welsh Fire, Melbourne Renegades.
Q: Is Jacob Bethell in the IPL?
A: Yes, he played for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the IPL 2025.
Q: Who is Jacob Bethell’s father?
A: His father is Graham Bethell.
Q: Has Jacob Bethell scored a century?
A: Yes, he scored his maiden professional century (110*) in an ODI vs South Africa.
Q: Does Jacob Bethell have a wife?
A: There is no public record of him being married or having a partner yet.
Conclusion
Jacob Bethell’s meteoric rise from a schoolboy cricketer in Barbados to a key figure in England’s international setup and IPL franchise cricket is a testament to his talent, adaptability and mindset. At just 22, he’s already achieved milestones many seasoned players never reach. With a blend of power, finesse and leadership potential, Bethell is widely regarded as one of the brightest young talents in world cricket — and his story is only just beginning.
