England all-rounder Jacob Bethell has openly reflected on his 2025 cricket season, suggesting that he should have played more to enhance his development. Despite a promising start in his first Test series the previous winter, Bethell found himself with limited opportunities this summer.

Limited Opportunities in International Cricket

Bethell, 21, missed the one-off Test against Zimbabwe due to his commitments at the Indian Premier League, which led to him losing his spot in England's Test XI. He was primarily the spare batter across the first four matches against India before making a return in the fifth. His participation in domestic cricket was also minimal, with only one County Championship match for Warwickshire, resulting in just 387 balls faced across all formats this summer, a stark contrast to 1,480 in 2024.

Reflections and Future Prospects

Speaking to Sky Sports, Bethell acknowledged the gap in his playtime, stating, "If I'm honest, when I wasn't playing in those Tests, I should probably have played a bit more [in domestic cricket]. But I'll take that on and learn from it. I've got a lot of cricket ahead now so maybe that gap was quite nice for me."

Performance Highlights

Despite the challenges, Bethell showed glimpses of his potential, particularly in the one-day international series against South Africa. After a low score in the first match, he bounced back with a notable 58 from 40 balls in the second ODI at Lord's, where he was pushed up to number four in the batting order.

Conclusion

As Bethell prepares to lead an under-strength England squad in Ireland, his reflections on the 2025 season underscore the importance of consistent playtime in a player's development. His experience highlights the delicate balance between international commitments and the need for regular domestic play.