Lucky break puts Jacob in driving seat for the future

BETHELL KEEPS HIS PLACE ...AND LANDS A CONTRACT

- Rory Dollard

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.