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Jacob Bethell Registers Unwanted Record for Slowest ODI Start vs India: In the first ODI match played between India and England at Edgbaston Stadium in Birmingham, England's young opening batsman Jacob Bethell set a highly unwanted record. The 22-year-old Bethell, usually known for his aggressive batting style, struggled significantly to score runs against the Indian bowlers during the match, leading to this embarrassing milestone being added to his name.
Jacob Bethell Took 13 Balls to Open Account
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In this match, the duo of Jacob Bethell and Ben Duckett took the field to open the innings for England. However, right from the start, Indian fast bowlers kept Bethell completely tied down. Bethell had to face 13 balls to score his first run—or 'open his account'—in ODI cricket. He managed to steal his first run on the 13th delivery, and with that, this unwanted record was registered against his name.
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Slowest English Batsman to Score First Run in ODIs
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With this sluggish start, Jacob Bethell has now become the second-slowest English opener in the history of ODI cricket in terms of the number of balls faced to score a first run. The record for taking the most balls to open one's account as an England opener belongs to former legendary captain Sir Alastair Cook.
Most Balls Faced by England Openers to Score First Run in ODI Cricket
- Sir Alastair Cook: 18 Balls (vs South Africa, 2012)
- Jacob Bethell: 13 Balls (vs India, 2026)
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