Young and old combined in perfect harmony for England in the third ODI against the Proteas at Southampton on Sunday.
Jacob Bethell, 21, and Joe Root, 34, put on a mammoth 182-run partnership off 144 balls to set up England’s 414/5.
Bethell (110, 82 balls, 13×4, 3×6) thrilled the Rose Bowl crowd enroute to his maiden ODI century. It was also the former England U19 star’s first professional hundred.
Bethell will no doubt take plenty of confidence from this innings as his career progresses – not only from the reaching the milestone but also the time spent in the middle with England maestro Root (100, 96 balls, 6×4).
The veteran adopted a mentoring role throughout the partnership, content to sit back and allow Bethell to take the game forward while being the solidifying presence at the other end.
In typical Root-like fashion, he moved effortlessly to his 19th ODI century of his career.
England were certainly helped by the Proteas’ sloppiness in the field – the visitors dropped two catches including Bethell – and ill-discipline with the ball. Proteas bowling coach Piet Botha was visibly irate on the balcony with the number of wides delivered.
Debutant Codi Yusuf (0/76) was among the leading guilty parties with the Lions seamer sending down five wides and a no-ball in his Proteas appearance.
England opener Jamie Smith had earlier set up the innings with his second half-century of the series at the top, while it was bookended by a cameo from Jos Buttler.
The Proteas’ woes were compounded with captain Temba Bavuma leaving the field through injury. Bavuma did not return before England’s innings was completed and may not be able to bat in his regular No 3 position.
Third ODI, Southampton
England: 414/5 (Bethell 110, Root 100, Buttler 62*, Smith 62, Bosch 2/79, Maharaj 2/61)
