RCB all-rounder Jacob Bethel scores maiden BBL half-century
RCB all-rounder Jacob Bethel scores maiden BBL half-century
English all-rounder Jacob Bethel scored his maiden half-century at the Big Bash League during the match between Melbourne Renegades and Hobart Hurricanes at the Bellerive Oval stadium on Tuesday.
Asked to bat, the Renegades were in a spot of bother early on as they lost three quick wickets for 23 inside the PowerPlay. Bethell then steered his side away from danger with steady partnerships with Tim Sifert and skipper Will Sutherland.
Bethell’s stay in the middle came to an end in the first ball of the final over, courtesy of a direct hit from Mitch Owen. Bethell’s 50-ball 87 included eight fours and four sixes. The Renegades managed to post 154/7 in 20 overs.
The left-handed batter, who also bowls left-arm orthodox spin, was bought by the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru for Rs. 2.6 crore at the mega auction in Saudi Arabia.
RCB, which is yet to win a trophy, will hope Bethell can fill in the shoes of all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and Will Jacks, who were not retained by the franchise after IPL 2024. He has a blistering strike rate of 167.96 in T20Is and can bat in the top and middle order. Bethell has also been slotted as a finisher in his limited appearances in ODI cricket.
Bethell made his T20I and ODI debut in September last year during the series against Australia. He impressed with two unbeaten half-centuries in the five-match series against West Indies.
