Bethell’s Fighting 142 Keeps England Alive But Australia Still Closing In On Ashes Triumph

England lead by 119 at the end of day 4 in the Ashes test 5 at SCG. Jacob Bethell’s maiden Test hundred provided a dramatic twist to what has been one of the more unpredictable Ashes series in recent memory. 

England were 219 for 3, with a lead of 36, when Beau Webster reversed the game. He trapped Harry Brook lbw and finished with 3 for 51 in 13 overs. Webster’s spell turned the game firmly in Australia’s way.

It was Jacob’s effort that resulted in the extension of the Sydney Test into the fifth day, even though England suffered several confusing dismissals and the pitch began to turn sharply at the most critical times.

Jacob Bethell made an unbeaten 142 from 229 balls, which is his first century in first-class cricket. He constructed this score gradually with confident strokes and was always aware of the match situation. England, nevertheless, never built strong partnerships with him at the crease. As a result, a close fourth innings chase looks unlikely, although the pitch started trying the Australian batsmen.

Webster Rises To The Moment As Pitch Begins To Bite

With the surface starting to grip, Beau Webster switched from seam to offspin and immediately made an impact. Will Jacks gave his wicket away, and Ben Stokes, clearly limited by an adductor issue at No. 8, couldn’t produce one of his trademark recoveries. 

A mix-up between Jamie Smith and Bethell then resulted in Smith being run out for 26, leaving Australia in sight of sealing a 4-1 series win. There also remains curiosity around Usman Khawaja’s future and whether the final day might still provide a farewell moment.

England, after 133.5 overs of bowling, were under enormous pressure after Australia’s 567 in the first innings. This became even worse when Mitchell Starc had Zak Crawley dismissed lbw for 1 in the first over, and his review was unsuccessful. Bethell stabilized the innings with Ben Duckett, who eventually gained his form. 

Joe Root struggled to get going as Scott Boland tied him down. His painstaking 6 from 37 ended with another lbw dismissal. Root opted not to review, only to find later that ball tracking showed it clipping the top of the bail. He left to warm applause, finishing the series on exactly 400 runs.

Bethell Turns Opportunity Into A Statement Performance

Still trailing by 66, England counterpunched through Bethell and Brook. The Australian bowlers began to feel the heat under the afternoon sun, and Bethell capitalized on anything loose. His cover drives were effortless, and he controlled the short ball effectively.

Bethell moved past his previous best of 96, reached against New Zealand in 2024, and brought up his century by lofting Beau Webster over wide long-on. He celebrated calmly as his father looked on proudly from the stands.

Harry Brook fell lbw to Webster after an Australian review, Will Jacks departed for a second-ball duck, and Ben Stokes edged to Steven Smith. Smith then took another catch when Scott Boland removed Brydon Carse, but Bethell remained unbeaten to the close.

Previously, Australia had resumed at 518 for 7. Before going, Ben Stokes tried to bowl through pain, but England did not stop fighting. Webster, who batted at No.9, scored his fifth Test fifty and had 71 at the close of the innings by Australia.

His performance contrasted with the performance of Matthew Potts, who ended with 0 for 141 from 25 overs. Potts was spared an unwanted record as he was not used in the morning. With one day left, England still leans heavily on Bethell, while Australia looks ready to wrap up the series.