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AS if hitting a maiden Test 50 and the winning runs on debut last week was not good enough, the red-letter days just keep coming for Jacob Bethell.
His unplanned bow batting at No.3 for England in last week's win in Christchurch having only come into consideration after Jordan Cox broke his thumb in practice was a career-high to that point.
But it was topped on the eve of the second Test when the 21-yearold was told he would keep his place against New Zealand in Wellington and also land a twoyear central contract.
England have opted to retain a winning formula, meaning Ollie Pope's temporary stint as stand-in wicketkeeper continues despite the arrival of Durham's Ollie Robinson as specialist cover.
Having secured his spot for the next few days, Bethell has also persuaded the ECB to tie up his longer-term future.
Less than six weeks after announcing a new raft of player deals, the ECB have upgraded Bethell from a low-key developmental contract to a more lucrative retainer that runs until October 2026.
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Esta historia es de la edición December 05, 2024 de Daily Express.
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THEY THOUGHT IT WAS ALL OVER... BUT PRESTON ARE BACK
IT was 59 years ago, in March 1966, when Preston last progressed this far in the FA Cup - but the dreams of the two-time winners ended in the closing minutes of a quarter-final replay against Manchester United at Old Trafford.
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SCOTT'S WAITING GAME
Trainer hangs fire on when to play his Ace
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Sinisterra seizes moment to shine
LUIS SINISTERRA is dreaming of a trip to Wembley after fighting back from a four-month injury nightmare.
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Phone has children's safety as top priority
A SMARTPHONE has been unveiled with innovative child safety features to combat growing digital fears.
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Eddie's so ready to play second fiddle again
NKETIAH DESPERATE TO SEE PAL MAKE RETURN
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'We're at a crossroads in history...it's time to act
Whitehall Editor SIR Keir Starmer told Europe's leaders they have to \"step up\" to prevent future Russian aggression and ensure conflict does not spread across the continent.
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Brit hostage Emily has gun wounds op
FREED British Israeli hostage Emily Damari has had surgery to correct complications from gunshot wounds sustained when she was taken by Hamas.
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Driver's loss after clone raiders strike
CAR number plate cloning fraud took a fiendish turn when an innocent driver found himself facing punishing financial losses and a legal nightmare.
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Dad, 35, died of heart attack after it took TWO 999 calls before ambulance was sent
A MAN died from a heart attack after being given an incorrect response time by the ambulance service, his family said.
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Big queues at farm shop to sample Clarkson's top gear
VISITORS queued for more than an hour as Jeremy Clarkson's Diddly Squat Farm Shop reopened.