JUST over three years ago, a 31-year-old Irishman and an 18-year-old Englishman walked out to the wicket together at Edgbaston in Birmingham. It was Paul Stirling’s debut for Warwickshire, Jacob Bethell’s first time to open the batting.

‘You could see the talent there when he must have been 17, 18 years old,’ Stirling recalled, ‘His ball striking was so noticeable that it was world class already. I opened the batting with him for Warwickshire in the T20 blast for half a season. So, to see where he's got to already in his career was no surprise to me.’

Where the left-hander has got to in his career is captain of England at 21, an ODI century against South Africa and already has three fifties under his belt in four Tests. 

Bethell could have visited Dublin earlier this summer had he stayed in his native Barbados and played for West Indies. Aged 13 he won a scholarship to Rugby School and was picked up by Warwickshire.

Since then he has been on the way up, and has played in the biggest T20 franchise leagues with Melbourne Renegades, Paarl Royals and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

After his brilliant 82-ball 110 against South Africa two weeks ago, England head coach Brendon McCullum could hardly contain his excitement.

‘He’s a huge player,’ said the Kiwi, ‘he’s going to have some life: being able to play like he does at 21 years of age, and having the head on his shoulders that he’s got, too.’

And as for that June 2022 partnership with Stirling at Edgbaston? Local fans will hope for a similar result – the Irishman made 119 that day while Bethell was out for 5.