Media365
Former England cricketer David Gower lavished praise on 22-year-old Jacob Bethell after the England batter struck his maiden First-Class century on Day 4 of the ongoing fifth Ashes Test against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday. Bethell produced a superb unbeaten 142 off 232 balls, laced with 15 fours, to help England build a crucial 119-run lead in their second innings in reply to Australia’s imposing first-innings total of 567.“Bethell. Brilliant. Delighted. Nuff said!” Gower wrote on X.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan also took to X to applaud Bethell’s technique, adding that the youngster’s innings should serve as a template for England’s Test batters going forward.“A star has been born here at the SCG .. The tempo / Technique and class of Jacob Bethell today is the blueprint for England’s future Test batters,” Vaughan reposted.Bethell then backed up that praise with a flawless maiden Test century, anchoring England’s response as the visitors clawed their way back into the contest and edged into a slender 119-run lead, leaving the fifth and final Ashes Test finely poised. At stumps on Day 4 at the SCG, England were 302 for 8, with Bethell unbeaten on 142 and Matthew Potts yet to score.The left-hander’s knock proved vital after England suffered early setbacks, losing Zak Crawley cheaply and Joe Root soon after. Showing maturity beyond his years, Bethell brought up his hundred in style from 162 deliveries, remaining unfazed as wickets fell around him.Just two overs after Bethell reached three figures, Beau Webster swung the momentum Australia’s way with two wickets in three balls, removing Harry Brook for 42 and dismissing Will Jacks for a duck. England’s woes deepened further when Jamie Smith was run out for 24 following a costly mix-up.Ben Stokes, who had earlier limped off while bowling with what appeared to be a groin issue, came in at No. 7 but lasted only five balls before falling to Webster. England are chasing another morale-boosting victory after their Melbourne triumph, although Australia have already retained the Ashes with a 3-1 series lead.Remarkably, the hundred was Bethell’s first in both Test cricket and red-ball cricket overall, eclipsing his previous best of 96 against New Zealand. Recalled for the Melbourne Test in place of the struggling Ollie Pope, Bethell has further strengthened his hold on the No. 3 spot after also scoring a gritty 40 in difficult conditions.Earlier, Australia were bowled out for 567 before lunch, built around Travis Head’s 163 and a commanding 138 from captain Steve Smith, leaving England to overhaul a daunting first-innings deficit of 183 after being dismissed for 384.England’s reply began on a shaky note as Mitchell Starc struck in the first over, trapping Crawley lbw for one. Ben Duckett, dropped on 38, failed to make the most of the reprieve and was bowled by Michael Neser for 42. Root then endured a torrid stay before falling lbw to Scott Boland for six.Bethell, however, stood firm, taking England past Australia’s lead shortly after tea with a single off Neser and celebrating his hundred with a crisp boundary through midwicket. Webster’s late strikes tilted the momentum back in Australia’s favour, but Bethell’s resolve ensured the contest heads into the final day delicately balanced.
