In a display of immense grit and maturity, young English batter Jacob Bethell single-handedly revived his team's hopes on Day Four of the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The 22-year-old left-hander scored a magnificent, unbeaten 142, his maiden Test hundred, to guide England to 302 for 8 in their second innings at stumps on Wednesday.
Bethell Stands Tall Amidst English Collapse
England's second innings began disastrously, with opener Zak Crawley falling to Mitchell Starc in the very first over. Ben Duckett, who was dropped on 38, could only add four more runs before being bowled for 42. The in-form Joe Root, who smashed 160 in the first innings, managed just six runs before being trapped LBW by Scott Boland.
While wickets tumbled regularly at the other end, Jacob Bethell remained a picture of composure. Compact in defence and decisive when attacking, he anchored the innings. He reached his landmark century off 162 balls, becoming the youngest England batter to score an Ashes hundred in Australia in recent memory. Remarkably, this was also his first-ever century in red-ball cricket, surpassing his previous best of 96.
Australia Strike Back Through Part-Time Spin
Just as England looked to build a partnership, part-time off-spinner Beau Webster delivered a crucial double strike. He removed the dangerous Harry Brook for 42 and then dismissed Will Jacks for a golden duck in the space of three balls. "I certainly didn't think I would impact with spin this game," Webster admitted later, finishing with figures of 3 for 51. "There was a bit of wear and tear from Starc's footmarks, and we made the most of it."
England's troubles deepened with a mix-up that led to Jamie Smith's run-out. Captain Ben Stokes, visibly struggling with a groin injury, lasted only five balls before edging Webster for one. Brydon Carse also fell cheaply. Through it all, Bethell cleverly farmed the strike and kept the scoreboard ticking, ensuring England ended the day with a slender but potentially crucial lead of 119 runs.
A Tense Finale Awaits at the SCG
The match is now perfectly poised for a thrilling final day. Australia, needing just two wickets to win the Test and the series, will be confident. However, with Bethell still at the crease on a superb 142 and Matthew Potts as his partner, England will believe they can stretch their lead and set a tricky target.
This fightback was set against Australia's massive first-innings total of 567, built on centuries from Travis Head (163) and skipper Steve Smith (138). Smith's knock was his 13th Ashes hundred, placing him second only to the legendary Don Bradman. All that history, however, will be secondary on Thursday as the focus shifts entirely to the battle between Bethell's resilience and Australia's quest for the final two wickets.
