Jacob Bethell stands tall with maiden century in tense Ashes decider | Cricket News
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Jacob Bethell stood tall with a flawless maiden Test century on Wednesday, anchoring England’s reply 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 delicately poised. At stumps on Day 4 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, England were 302 for 8, with the 22-year-old unbeaten on 142 and Matthew Potts yet to open his account.Bethell’s innings proved pivotal after England suffered early blows, losing Zak Crawley cheaply and Joe Root soon after. Showing composure well beyond his years, the left-hander brought up his hundred in style from 162 deliveries, unfazed by the pressure around him.
However, wickets continued to fall at the other end. Just two overs after Bethell reached three figures, Beau Webster struck twice in the space of three balls, dismissing Harry Brook for 42 and removing Will Jacks for a duck. England’s troubles deepened when Jamie Smith was run out for 24 following a disastrous 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 survived only five balls before falling to Webster. England, chasing another morale-boosting victory after their win in Melbourne, remain in pursuit despite Australia already securing the Ashes with a 3-1 series lead.Remarkably, Bethell’s century was not only his maiden Test hundred but also his first in red-ball cricket, surpassing his previous best of 96 against New Zealand. Recalled for the Melbourne Test in place of the struggling Ollie Pope, Bethell has strengthened his claim to the No. 3 spot after also contributing a gritty 40 in challenging conditions.Earlier, Australia were dismissed for 567 before lunch, built around Travis Head’s 163 and a commanding 138 from captain Steve Smith, leaving England to erase a daunting first-innings deficit of 183 after being bowled out for 384.England’s chase began shakily as Mitchell Starc struck with a first-over breakthrough, trapping Crawley lbw for one. Ben Duckett, dropped on 38, failed to capitalise and was bowled by Michael Neser for 42. Root endured a torrid stay before falling lbw to Scott Boland for six.Bethell, though, remained immovable, 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 swung momentum back Australia’s way, but Bethell’s resolve ensured the contest heads into the final day finely balanced.
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