I dreamt of playing for England - and now I've hit the winning runs in a Test

Emerging star Jacob Bethell couldn't hide his elation after a dream Test debut for England at Christchurch, which saw him scoring the winning run in a resounding win against New Zealand. An unexpected entry into the team due to Jordan Cox's last-minute thumb injury during a warm-up match in Queenstown meant an abrupt reshuffle with Ollie Pope stepping in as wicketkeeper and Bethell taking on the number three spot - a position he'd never occupied in domestic cricket.

The decision paid off as Bethell confidently faced down New Zealand's target of 104, hitting eight fours and a memorable six in a rapid half-century made from just 37 balls, embodying the dynamic 'Bazball' approach. Despite a more modest performance in the first innings where he scored 10, the experience of clinching victory under the warmth of the sun before a full-house crowd was unforgettable.

"It was a hell of a lot of fun. To walk off with Joe Root at the end there was pretty special," he said. "It’s everything I’ve dreamed of to be honest. Since I was a little kid I’ve always dreamed of playing Test cricket, I remember watching the Ashes, and just any England Tests on TV and wanting to be a part of it."

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The young cricketer reflected on his experience with newfound excitement since the dynamic duo of Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes took the helm: "Since Baz (Brendon McCullum) and Stokesy took over I’ve always watched it on TV and gone, ‘how fun that does that look? ’ and it lived up to expectations. No matter if we were in the sheds talking with each other, batting, bowling, fielding it was good fun.

"It was my first experience playing in front of packed grass banks, pristine outfield, good pitches and playing against a good New Zealand team. It was great."

Despite his inexperience at a professional level, Bethell's placement as number three wasn’t viewed with skepticism by him personally, in fact, he embraced it: "I like batting up the order so I was really happy that opportunity arose," he added.

"Maybe it was a surprise, but I would have asked for it to be honest. I’ve always wanted to bat in the top four, so three is perfect. Pretty much every time I’ve played against better people, I’ve played better at the step up. In the Hundred, played better, straight into internationals, played better. I didn’t really have a doubt in my mind coming into Test cricket that I’d do well."

Bethell, who has impressively made his mark in ODI, T20s, and Tests in less than three months, is set for more thrilling experiences. He was snapped up by the Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the recent Indian Premier League auction for a sum just north of £250,000. His move sees him join the ranks of English cricket notables Liam Livingstone and Phil Salt.

RCB's marquee player Virat Kohli is someone Bethell is particularly thrilled about teaming up with. "It’s a bit of a given isn’t it? Virat, he’s a great of the game, King Kohli," he said.

"I think it’ll do a lot for me. Any young overseas player that’s gone over there has come back with a wealth of experience. Going over and being around the likes of Virat in that RCB team will stand my game in good stead for the future."