Online Reporter
ONE is English, the other is Zimbabwean and, somehow, they share the same initial when it comes to their surnames.
And, when it comes to the game of cricket, the two are being showered with praise around the world as the future stars of the game.
Jacob Bethell and Brian Bennett are both 22.
They are in a special group of the three youngest cricketers to score a century in the three formats of the game – ODI, Test and T20.
Bethell became the youngest English cricketer to score a hundred in all three formats in England’s semi-final defeat at the hands of India in the T20 World Cup final.
Bethell wreaked havoc in the second innings of the semi-final clash against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.
In a night of breathtaking records, Bethell etched his name into cricket history with a sensational 45-ball century, though his heroics were not quite enough to prevent England from a narrow seven-run defeat to India in the T20 World Cup semi-final.
By reaching his hundred in just 45 deliveries, he secured the fastest T20 World Cup century by an Englishman and became the youngest player from England to score hundreds in all three international formats.
The performance felt like a full-circle moment for the young star. Following the match, a video went viral showing a teenage Bethell watching England’s 2022 semi-final win over India.
Bethell became the youngest player from England to score hundreds in all three formats
Reflecting on his journey from fan to protagonist, Bethell described the experience as “surreal” later adding that while the milestone was special, the result was “a tough pill to swallow.”
Earlier this year, he notched his maiden Test century with 154 against Australia in the fifth and final Test in Sydney and registered his first ODI ton versus South Africa in September 2025.
Captain Harry Brook predicted the youngster is destined for “a hell of a career with England.”
Social media has been reacting.
Hope Brian Bennett gets a team in Eng, SA, Aus and other T20 leagues (IPL looks unlikely but you never know) . . . he is a top-class batsman. It will be much easier for Bethell to play regular elite-level cricket. — @Nicket_S
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Would like to see Bennett against KG, Jansen, Ngidi, Ketchup and Bosch in a Test.
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When are we playing Zim again? — @watsenaam
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Bennet is the best in the world. — @MudharaNzou
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Generational talent Brian Bennett. — @weymarplanet
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Did you know that Brian Bennett is the youngest batsman in Cricket history to score centuries in all three formats? — @TatendaJokonya — Sports Reporter/India Today/Agencies
