Bethell hits maiden ODI century as England beat SA by 342 runs

Jacob Bethell produced a stunning maiden one-day international century as England rescued pride in the third ODI against South Africa on Sunday, following a spirited but ultimately futile cameo at Lord's two days earlier. The 21-year-old left-hander struck 110 off 82 balls in a dominant innings at the Rose Bowl that, alongside Joe Root's century, helped England post 414 and secure a 342-run victory to avoid a series whitewash after already losing the first two matches.

Bethell's century was the climax of a remarkable week for a player whose summer has been marked by sporadic opportunities. He had been criticised for a lack of red-ball cricket and for low scores in a solitary Test against India and in the opening ODI at Headingley, where he made only one. Thrown into the middle order at Lord's with England chasing 331 to keep the series alive, Bethell answered with a bright 58 from 40 balls, taking the game to a top-class South African attack before England fell short by five runs.

"I probably should have played a bit more when I was not in the Test side," Bethell said before the third match, acknowledging gaps in his match practice. "But I'll take that on and learn from it. I've...