Cricket has a way of creating stars when the pressure is at its highest and Day 4 of the final Ashes Test at Sydney was exactly that moment for Jacob Bethell. With England backing the young left-hander over a more experienced option (Ollie Pope) at number three, the decision raised eyebrows before the match. By the end of Wednesday, Jacob Bethell had given a powerful answer with a performance to remember.
The 22-year-old was thrown straight into the action early in England’s second innings after an early wicket fell in the opening over. Walking in almost immediately, Jacob Bethell showed calm beyond his years and settled into the crease with confidence. From that point on, he held one end together as wickets fell around him.
Highly regarded within English cricket circles, Jacob Bethell displayed both patience and attacking intent throughout his knock. On the fourth day of the Test, he reached his maiden Test century after facing 162 deliveries, bringing up the milestone with a confident boundary off Beau Webster. His innings was laced with 13 fours, reflecting a well-balanced mix of control and aggression.
As Jacob Bethell reached three figures, the moment became emotional beyond the field. Cameras captured his father in the stands, overwhelmed with pride, and the heartfelt reaction quickly spread across social media, resonating with fans back home.
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Jacob Bethell’s contribution was not a lone effort. He shared a valuable 81-run partnership for the second wicket with Ben Duckett, who played a brisk knock. Later, he added another crucial stand of 102 runs with Harry Brook, whose aggressive approach helped keep England competitive before he was dismissed by Beau Webster.
While Jacob Bethell was writing his own story, history had already been made earlier in the match. Australian captain Steve Smith had produced a brilliant century in the first innings, during which he surpassed a long-standing record to become the highest run-scorer in international cricket against England. Smith moved past Sir Don Bradman’s tally of 5,028 runs and now sits at 5,094 runs across formats.
Together, these moments made the Sydney Test a memorable chapter in the Ashes history, blending the rise of a new star with the dominance of an established great.
