England’s talented batter Jacob Bethell feels he came back as a better player after playing in the IPL. The left-hander made only two appearances for RCB rather than returning home for the Zimbabwe Test.

Meanwhile, the youngster scored an impressive century in the fifth Ashes Test against Australia at Sydney on Wednesday. Bethell replaced out-of-form Ollie Pope in the final XI at the MCG and he was able to grab his chance with both hands.

The southpaw remained unbeaten on 142 on the fourth day’s play. This is Bethell’s maiden first-class century and he was able to deliver the goods for the tourists. 

“I wouldn’t say I gave it away at the IPL,” he told Fox Cricket. “That experience I had over there was unbelievable… I came back a better cricketer.”

He added: “I was pretty happy with how I went in New Zealand. I knew that I was coming in two places away: there was Jamie Smith, who was not present on the tour, and then Coxy was the back-up batter that got injured. I knew that it’d be a tough decision to bring me back in place of someone else.

“I had that on my radar and just was waiting for the opportunity to make sure I was ready. I had a little opportunity again through injury in the summer against India, and didn’t take it, so it’s nice to score some runs now.”

After scoring his maiden First-Class Hundred, the 22-year-old Bethell became the ninth England batter to score a century against Australia, aged 22 or younger. He joined the elite list, including Johnny Briggs, Jack Hearne, Iftikhar Ali Khan Pataudi, Colin Cowdrey, David Gower, Mike Atherton, Alastair Cook, and Ben Stokes. 

Moreover, Bethell became the youngest batter since 2006 to record an Ashes century. He bettered his previous highest score of 96.

Meanwhile, Australia has put themselves in front as England ended the penultimate day of the series at 302-8, leading by 119 runs.