Jacob Bethell Comes Clutch with the Ball, Days Before England’s World Cup Opener

Despite England's defeat, Jacob Bethell excelled during the final 2025-26 Ashes Sydney Test by smashing a brilliant 154 runs in the second innings.

Jacob Bethell Comes Clutch with the Ball, Days Before England’s World Cup Opener

Jacob Bethell picked up four wickets in just two overs to help England win over Sri Lanka. (via ESPN Cricinfo)

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The final T20I between England and Sri Lanka witnessed a dramatic ending, with the Three Lions securing a narrow 12-run victory in what turned out to be a low-scoring thriller. Although Sam Curran was named POTM, it was Jacob Bethell who delivered a clutch performance. 

England completed a clean sweep over Sri Lanka away from home, with the third victory in Pallekele also marking the visitors’ 11th consecutive T20I triumph over their opponents. The Three Lions started the series with an 11-run win in the rain-curtailed first T20I.

Rain also affected the second encounter, which the visitors won by six wickets. The final match capped off the series, with both teams concluding their preparation for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

Skipper Harry Brook’s decision to bat first after winning the toss in the third T20I misfired, as England could only manage 128/9. Only three English batters managed to go past the 10-run mark. Sam Curran top-scored with 58 runs off 48 balls. For Sri Lanka, pacer Dushmantha Chameera, playing his first game of the series, recorded his maiden T20I five-wicket haul, while Matheesha Pathirana scalped two. 

It seemed that Sri Lanka would run away with a win, with Kusal Mendis forging steady partnerships at the top, with Pathum Nissanka and Pavan Rathnayake. However, wickets kept falling at regular intervals, with the two teams evenly placed at the end of the 17th over.

Sri Lanka needed 21 runs to win from 18 balls. Jacob Bethell then turned the game around in England’s favor dramatically, finishing with career-best figures of 4/11 with his part-time spin.

Bethell picked up three wickets in the 18th over, dismissing Dunith Wellalage, Dushmantha Chameera, and captain Dasun Shanaka, to leave Sri Lanka at 113/9. By taking Maheesh Theekshana’s wicket in the final over of the chase, Bethell helped England restrict Sri Lanka to 116 in the end and win by 12 runs. On the tricky Pallekele surface, the left-handed all-rounder was supported by Will Jacks, who picked up 3/14 from the other end. 

England will now be heading into the 2026 T20 World Cup with confidence, having demonstrated their acumen by defending a subpar total. Head coach Brendon McCullum will be happy to see his primary players in form, including Phil Salt, Harry Brook, Jos Buttler, Sam Curran, and Adil Rashid. 

Knockout bound? England’s predicted playing XI for upcoming 2026 T20 World Cup 

England is among the favorites to make it through to the knockouts of the 2026 T20 World Cup, to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka. The Three Lions have been placed in Group C, alongside two-time champions West Indies, Nepal, Scotland and debutants Italy.

England T20 World Cup
England are among favorites to win the 2026 T20 World Cup. (via ESPN Cricinfo)

The Three Lions have always been a side that excels in the shortest format, and are among the only three teams to have won the T20 WC twice. Currently ranked no.3 in T20Is, England’s form, heading into the WC, has been impressive. They have not lost a T20I series since their 0-5 defeat to India in January 2025, having since secured series victories against West Indies, Ireland, New Zealand, and Sri Lanka.

Coming to their predicted playing XI for the 2026 T20 World Cup, Phil Salt and Jos Buttler would forge a destructive opening pair, followed by young all-rounder Jacob Bethell at no.3, in-form Tom Banton at no.4 and captain Harry Brook at no.5. With the Three Lions playing all their matches in India, they might go ahead with four all-rounders, Sam Curran, Will Jacks, Jamie Overton and Liam Dawson.

Bowlers Adil Rashid and Jofra Archer fill the remaining positions in the playing XI. Other available options who will remain on the bench are Josh Tongue, Rehan Ahmed, Ben Duckett, and Luke Wood, who have come in at times.

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