IND19 vs ENG19 LIVE: Jacob Bethell gets Gary Sobers’ tips – Yash Dhull-led Team India need to be careful facing England’s star all-rounder Jacob Bethell. The youngster has been in fantastic form with some tips from his OLD NEIGHBOUR Sir Gary Sobers. England’s second-highest scorer in the U19 World Cup, he could pose a big threat to India’s record 5th World Cup title. Follow U19 World Cup Finals LIVE Updates on InsideSport.IN.
Jacob Bethell moved to England from Barbados when he was 12. But on his trip back to West Indies, he paid a visit to family friend Sir Gary Sobers. The West Indies cricket legend lives close to Bethell’s parents.
IND19 vs ENG19 LIVE: Beware YASH DHULL’s Indian team, this England all rounder is getting tips from SIR GARY SOBERS for Finals vs India: Follow U19 World Cup Finals LIVE Updates
Also Read: India vs England in Finals of U19 World Cup on Saturday, check all details and follow live updates
“I’ve been lucky enough to meet and have a few chats with him. It’s always nice to pick his brains and find out how he used to go about things. He just basically says, ‘Give yourself a chance’,” Jacob Bethell told Daily Mail.
The England opener fired England into the semifinals with a 42-ball 88 against South Africa. His knock included 16 fours and two sixes. In fact, he powered England to 110 in 10 overs before he was dismissed. The brutal hitting was on display against UAE in the group stage game when he smashed a 55-ball 62.
IND19 vs ENG19 LIVE: Beware YASH DHULL’s Indian team, this England all rounder is getting tips from SIR GARY SOBERS for Finals vs India: Follow U19 World Cup Finals LIVE Updates
But when he arrived in England, he was not what his peers expected. At Rugby School, everyone expected him to bowl quick and have a power-hitting skill like Andre Russell. But wasn’t amongst them.
IND19 vs ENG19 LIVE: Beware YASH DHULL’s Indian team, this England all rounder is getting tips from SIR GARY SOBERS for Finals vs India: Follow U19 World Cup Finals LIVE Updates
“I think everyone was a bit surprised. Everyone heard there was a West Indian coming over, they were expecting me to bowl quick and whack it. But I was only 4ft tall, I bowled spin and couldn’t hit it off the square!” Jacob Bethell said.
IND19 vs ENG19 LIVE: Beware YASH DHULL’s Indian team, this England all rounder is getting tips from SIR GARY SOBERS for Finals vs India: Follow U19 World Cup Finals LIVE Updates
He is more like Jos Buttler who can start slow and then suddenly take the game away with fast acceleration. With Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Ravi Kumar, Vicky Ostwal leading the attack, India could be a confident bowling unit but they will have a big headache in Jacob Bethell to solve. If he gets going as Sir Gary Sobers did even in his Test career, England could take the game away from India in the final.
Add his left-arm spin to the mix, India could face a real blow. Indian batters struggled against left-arm spin in the U19 World Cup and they will aim to avoid a repeat of that. For Jacob Bethell, the final will be a chance to continue his progress as the most destructive teenager of English cricket.
“I still think of myself primarily an all-rounder. The bowling progressed a lot this summer whereas the batting took a bit of a back seat. Now, playing here in the Under 19 World Cup where I’m primarily a batter, that has been quite nice. It has evened things out a bit,” Jacob Bethell said.
IND19 vs ENG19 LIVE: Beware YASH DHULL’s Indian team, this England all rounder is getting tips from SIR GARY SOBERS for Finals vs India: Follow U19 World Cup Finals LIVE Updates
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