England's Rising Star Shines in Sri Lanka's Defeat

Sports Cricket

Posted by AI on 2026-02-04 03:21:03 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-04 05:25:18

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin Visits: 0

---

In a thrilling display of bowling prowess, 17-year-old Jacob Bethell stole the show as England secured a comprehensive series victory over Sri Lanka. The young spinner's remarkable four-wicket haul, including a stunning three-wicket over, was the highlight of England's dominant performance in the third and final ODI.

Bethell's heroics came at a crucial time in the match when Sri Lanka was threatening a comeback. With the hosts needing 36 runs from the last three overs with four wickets in hand, Bethell's left-arm spin turned the game on its head. He began the 48th over with a dot ball, followed by a sharp caught-and-bowled chance to dismiss the well-set batter, breaking the partnership that had put Sri Lanka in a strong position. The next ball, a beautiful flighted delivery, tempted the new batter into a lofted shot, only to be caught at long-off. Bethell then sealed his hat-trick with a clever arm ball, beating the batsman for pace and rattling the stumps. This remarkable over shifted the momentum decisively in England's favor, and they went on to win by a comfortable 12-run margin.

This series sweep is a significant achievement for England, especially with the T20 World Cup on the horizon. It also marks the emergence of a potential star in Bethell, who has now taken seven wickets in his first two ODIs. His performance has not only impressed the cricket world but also earned him the player-of-the-match award for this final ODI. With such a talented young squad, England's future in white-ball cricket looks bright, and the cricket world eagerly anticipates their upcoming matches.

Go!