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Jacob Bethell shines amid off-field drama; reflects on guiding England to historic Boxing Day win

Kaushik Kashyap

Jacob Bethell after ENG beat AUS. [Source - @thestumpstory/x.com]Jacob Bethell after ENG beat AUS. [Source - @thestumpstory/x.com]

After a demoralizing wait of nearly 15 years, England finally found something to celebrate in a tough Ashes tour, registering a four-wicket win over Australia in the Boxing Day Test at the iconic MCG on Saturday.

Though the Ashes urn was already beyond reach, the victory helped England regain pride and momentum, even as Australia maintained control of the series with a commanding 3-1 lead heading into the final Test.

Young Bethell delivers in a crucial phase

Set a challenging target of 175 on a pitch that offered pace, bounce and significant seam movement, England’s chase was far from straightforward.

The Australian quicks asked constant questions, but England found stability through a calm and composed contribution from young batter Jacob Bethell, who was playing his first Test on Aussie soil.

The southpaw scored 40 runs off 46 deliveries at a crucial stage and played a key role in guiding England through a tricky phase in the fourth innings chase.

Bethell savors impactful role in landmark England win

Speaking to the broadcasters after England's historic win, Bethell valued the opportunity he got in the Boxing Day Test, making an impact in a winning cause, seeing it as a rewarding moment in his young international career.

"It was lovely to come in and have an impact, and what matters most is that it contributed to a win," Bethell said.

Taking on the likes of Mitchell Starc proved demanding, but the youngster stood tall and viewed it as a valuable learning experience under high pressure.

Reflecting on the match, Bethell felt his first-innings approach lacked clarity and commitment from his side. That changed pretty quickly in the second innings, where England decided to be more aggressive, especially while chasing a modest but difficult target.

"First innings, I probably did not commit enough to my plans. In the second innings, it was pretty clear, especially chasing a tricky total, that we had to be more proactive, Bethell added.

While Australia retained the Ashes after three wins in the first three games of the Ashes 2025-25, England’s Boxing Day win and Bethell’s composed performance offered hope and a glimpse of a brighter future.