#PlayOfTheDay: Bethell smacks maiden Test century

• Jacob Bethell scores maiden Test century (162 balls) vs Australia in Sydney Ashes Test.
• Bethell's ton is his first ever first class century, breaking a 33 year record.
• England battle with Bethell near 150, lead over 100 despite Webster's wickets.

Talented England batter, Jacob Bethell scored his First ever Test century against Australia on Day 4 of the Fifth Test at Sydney. He completed his maiden Test century in 162 balls. Bethell reached the milestone

by hitting Beau Webster for a four on the third ball of the 50th over of England’s innings. The crowd were treated to a masterclass from the young batter and he celebrated it by gently lifting his bat and waving it to the crowd. Jacob Bethell's family was also present in the stadium and his dad looked emotional and happy. Watch the celebration video here

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

Jacob Bethell, who is rated very highly by cricket experts, showed his class under tough circumstances. England lost Zak Crawley early and Bethell had to come in early on and he looked confident from the get go. He smashed 13 fours on his way to the century, and after he joined the elite list of English players to score a century in Ashes. Bethell also broke a 33 year old record.

This hundred from Jacob Bethell was not only his first Test ton but this is the first time he crossed the 100 run mark in first class cricket, becoming the first batter in 33 years to do so in an Ashes series. The previous batter who achieved this feat was Ian Healy who scored his maiden first-class hundred in Australia vs England Test matches back in 1993. Bethell is also the second England player to register his first hundred in Test cricket in the Ashes after Jack Russell who did it in 1989 at the Old Trafford.

England started the innings with Zak Crawley falling cheaply. Jacob Bethell put up a good partnership with Ben Duckett and they went to Lunch being only 1 down. Soon Ben Duckett departed and Joe Root also struggled before getting dismissed by Boland. Harry Brook and Bethell put up a 100 run partnership and things looked good. Until Webster arrived and picked up two wickets in a single over. Jacob Bethell is closing in on a 150 and putting a fight for England as Day 4 ended with a lead of more than 100.