England has faced a hard Ashes series, but at the Sydney Cricket Ground a new chapter was opened as Jacob Bethell presented himself on the largest stage with a spectacular maiden Test century against Australia.

Batting on the fourth day of the last and fifth Ashes Test at the SCG, the 22-year-old left hander impressed with an innings that showed his patience, dynamism and incredible maturity. Coming in early when England lost Zak Crawley cheaply, Bethell found himself immediately under pressure. Yet, what happened next was a classic demonstration of hard work.

A coming-of-age knock on the grandest stage

Bethell hit his hundred with a beautiful four from Beau Webster, shimmying down the track and hitting the ball over mid-on as the crowd went wild. He marked the occasion by taking off his helmet, acknowledging the crowds, and pointing his bat to his family - a moment which could not have expressed better the feeling of the occasion. It is important to point out that this was not only his first Test century but also his first-ever first-class century, thus making the knock even more special.

Ex-players and spectators unanimously commended Bethell's character. Instead of going for milestones, he simply let the tension simmer; his on-field presence got tested by seven fiery balls at 99 before he finally passed the mark. After facing 162 balls, he reached the three figures with shots like clear drives, bold cuts, and sound decision-making against the top-notch Australian bowlers.

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A maiden Test century for Jacob Bethell! What a way to do it 🤩#Ashes | #PlayoftheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/lXSUViEVrR

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 7, 2026

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In a contest wherein England quite frequently seemed to be at their wit's end, Bethell's straight drive was a signal of the new generation. Not only did it save England from the imminent danger of an innings defeat but also forced Australia to take on the challenge of batting in the next innings, thus, creating an interesting last chapter of the Test. For England, the Ashes may be gone, but at the SCG, a star was unmistakably born.

Maiden first-class hundreds by England players in Test cricket