Jacob Bethell scores the 2nd fastest half-century on Test debut in England's victory against NZ

Christchurch [New Zealand]: Jacob Bethell, the talented young all-rounder from England, had an impressive performance against New Zealand at Hagley Oval on Sunday. Bethell smashed a match-winning fifty and achieved the second-fastest half-century on Test debut by any batter in the format.

Bethell achieved this record during the first Test, scoring an explosive unbeaten 50 off just 37 balls, featuring eight fours and a six, at an impressive strike rate of 135.13.

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transform: rotate(32deg); animation: shinerMooving 3s infinite; z-index: 1; filter: blur(1px); } @keyframes shinerMooving { 0% { left: -40px; } 100% { left: 150%; } } Top 15 buys at IPL 2025 Auction Rishabh Pant ₹ 27 Cr DC LSG Total Match 111 Total Runs 3284 Highest Score 128 runs Shreyas Iyer ₹ 26.75 Cr KKR PBKS Total Match 115 Total Runs 3127 Highest Score 96 runs Venkatesh Iyer ₹ 23.75 Cr KKR KKR Total Match 50 Total Runs 1326 Highest Score 104 runs Wickets 3 Best Bowling 2/29 Arshdeep Singh ₹ 18 Cr PBKS PBKS Total Match 65 Total Runs 29 Highest Score 10 runs Wickets 76 Best Bowling 5/32 Yuzvendra Chahal ₹ 18 Cr RR PBKS Total Match 260 Total Runs 37 Highest Score 8 runs Wickets 205 Best Bowling 5/40 Jos Buttler ₹ 15.75 Cr RR GT Total Match 107 Total Runs 3582 Highest Score 124 runs KL Rahul ₹ 14 Cr LSG DC Total Match 132 Total Runs 4683 Highest Score 132 runs Trent Boult ₹ 12.50 Cr RR MI Total Match 104 Total Runs 83 Highest Score 17 runs Wickets 121 Best Bowling 4/18 Jofra Archer ₹ 12.50 Cr MI RR Total Match 35 Total Runs 195 Highest Score 27 runs Wickets 46 Best Bowling 3/15 Josh Hazlewood ₹ 12.50 Cr RCB RCB Total Match 12 Total Runs - Highest Score - Wickets 12 Best Bowling 3/24 Mohammed Siraj ₹ 12.25 Cr RCB GT Total Match 93 Total Runs 109 Highest Score 14 runs Wickets 93 Best Bowling 4/21 Mitchell Starc ₹ 11.75 Cr KKR DC Total Match 41 Total Runs 105 Highest Score 29 runs Wickets 51 Best Bowling 4/15 Phil Salt ₹ 11.50 Cr DC RCB Total Match 21 Total Runs 653 Highest Score 89 runs Ishan Kishan ₹ 11.25 Cr MI SRH Total Match 105 Total Runs 2644 Highest Score 99 runs Wickets - Best Bowling - Jitesh Sharma ₹ 11 Cr PBKS RCB Total Match 40 Total Runs 730 Highest Score 49 runs Check Full Coverage

This strike rate is the second-highest for a half-century on Test debut, trailing only New Zealand's Tim Southee, who scored an unbeaten 77 off 40 balls at a strike rate of 192.50 against England in Napier in 2008.

Previously, the second-fastest half-century on Test debut was by New Zealand's Luke Ronchi, who scored 88 off 70 balls at a strike rate of 125.71 against England at Headingley in 2015.

Bethell continues to rise as an all-format player for England. Since his white-ball debut in September 2024 against the West Indies, he has played seven T20Is, scoring 173 runs in six innings at an average of 57.66 and a strike rate of 167.96, with two half-centuries and a top score of 62*.

In ODIs, Bethell has scored 167 runs in seven innings at an average of 27.83, with one half-century . In eight ODIs, he has also taken four wickets, with best figures of 2/33.

Recently, he was acquired by Royal Challengers Bengaluru for Rs2.6 crore in the Indian Premier League mega auction ahead of the 2025 season. In 52 T20 matches, Bethell has scored 909 runs at an average of 25.97 and a strike rate of 142.47, with six fifties and a top score of 71*. He has also claimed seven wickets in the format.

Despite lacking a first-class century, Bethell was promoted to bat at number three in the Test side, a decision initially questioned by cricket experts. However, his fine half-century has strengthened his case for the position. With two more Tests in the series, Bethell has the opportunity to cement his spot.

In first-class cricket, Bethell has played 21 matches, scoring 798 runs at an average of 26.60, with six fifties and a top score of 93. He has also taken seven wickets in the format.

In the match, England won the toss and elected to field first. Fifties from Kane Williamson and Glenn Phillips helped New Zealand post 348. England's Brydon Carse and Shoaib Bashir were the standout bowlers.

England responded strongly with a century from Harry Brook and half-centuries from Ollie Pope and skipper Ben Stokes , securing a 151-run lead with a total of 499.

In New Zealand's second innings, despite fifties from Kane Williamson and Daryl Mitchell , they were bundled out for 254, setting England a target of just 103 runs. Carse delivered a brilliant performance, taking 6/42 and completing a ten-wicket match haul, while Chris Woakes claimed three wickets.

England chased the target comfortably with eight wickets in hand, as Bethell remained unbeaten alongside Joe Root .

Carse was named 'Player of the Match' for his ten-wicket haul and a valuable knock of 33* off 24 balls in the first innings.

England leads the three-match series 1-0, with the second Test set to begin in Wellington on December 6.

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