On Saturday, England will play in the final of the U19s Men’s World Cup for the first time since they won it in 1998. And in all-rounder Jacob Bethell, they possess one of the players of the tournament.Bethell’s majestic innings of 88 off just 42 deliveries in England’s quarter-final win against South Africa had plaudits pouring in from around the cricketing world.It was a statement knock from the 18-year-old, who announced himself on the global stage with a stunning array of shots.His half-century off 20 balls got England off to a flyer in what could otherwise have been a tricky run-chase at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua.A strike-rate of 209.52 was the highest for any Englishman in an innings of at least 50 runs in U19 World Cup history.“I always look to try and start positively and give the team a good start. After I got a few out of the middle of the bat, I realised that I was seeing the ball pretty well. It was just one of those days where nothing was premeditated,” said Bethell.
