The fourth day of the fifth Ashes 2025-26 Take a look at on the Sydney Cricket Floor witnessed a surprising shift in momentum as England’s younger sensation Jacob Bethell rose to the occasion with a career-defining performance. Confronted with a frightening first-innings deficit and the looming menace of a sequence whitewash, England relied closely on the resilience of their high order to navigate a treacherous path in opposition to a relentless Australian bowling assault. Whereas the guests gave the impression to be cruising towards a place of dominance, the introduction of Beau Webster turned the match on its head, as his medical triple strike reminded everybody of Australia’s skill to strike from nowhere.
Jacob Bethell’s maiden ton as the way forward for England arrives
Bethell etched his identify into Ashes folklore with an impressive maiden Take a look at century that single-handedly saved England’s hopes alive on the SCG. Getting into the fray at No. 3 after Mitchell Starc dismissed Zak Crawley within the very first over, the 22-year-old left-hander confronted an immense 183-run first-innings deficit with the poise of a veteran. He weathered a brutal opening spell and tempered his pure aggression to anchor a significant restoration, first with Ben Duckett and later throughout a extra fluid partnership with Harry Brook.
Bethell’s innings was a masterclass in focus; he centered on blunting Scott Boland’s relentless accuracy whereas pouncing on something huge from Michael Neser. He reached his fifty off 87 balls and didn’t let the strain of shedding Joe Root cheaply disrupt his rhythm. By the point he reached his century within the last session, his first-ever in red-ball cricket, the emotional scenes within the stands mirrored the importance of the second for English cricket. He turned one of many youngest England centurions on Australian soil, becoming a member of an elite record that features Ben Stokes and Alastair Prepare dinner.
His footwork in opposition to the spin of Webster was significantly spectacular, utilizing his attain to negate the bounce and switch. At the same time as wickets tumbled on the different finish throughout a chaotic night session, Bethell remained the immovable object, ending the day unbeaten on 142. His resilience ensured England not solely worn out the large lead however moved right into a place to set a difficult goal for the hosts. It was a career-defining knock that silenced critics and solidified his place within the high order. With out his defiance, the fifth Take a look at would possible have been over earlier than sundown on Day 4, however as an alternative, he has given his facet a preventing likelihood to finish the tour with a victory.
Beau Webster’s triple strike ignites Australia
Simply as England seemed set to dominate the day, Webster produced a medical three-wicket burst that dragged Australia proper again into the competition. Using his immense top to seek out awkward bounce from the SCG floor, the all-rounder broke a century stand by trapping Harry Brook LBW for 42. He didn’t cease there, eradicating Will Jacks for a duck in the identical over after the batter gifted a catch to the covers. His crowning second got here when he induced a faint edge from a struggling Stokes, who was caught sharply by Steve Smith within the slips. These three wickets in fast succession triggered a well-known English collapse and halted the momentum Bethell had labored so onerous to construct. Webster’s affect was the decisive blow that ensured Australia ended the day with their noses nonetheless barely in entrance.
England completed the day at 302/8, holding a lead of 119 runs with two wickets remaining and the valiant Bethell nonetheless on the crease. Whereas Bethell’s heroics offered the spine of the innings, Webster’s triple strike ensured the match stays on a knife-edge heading into the ultimate day. Australia shall be assured of wrapping up the tail early on Day 5, however they need to now cope with a chase on a sporting pitch that has proven indicators of unpredictable flip and bounce.
Additionally READ: Ashes 2025-26: Stuart Broad reveals the ‘truth’ behind verbal altercation between Ben Stokes and Marnus Labuschagne
Right here’s how followers reacted:
Nice Take a look at batters like Root struggled for years to attain even a single century in Australia however it took Jacob Bethell only one sequence
Star boy for a cause ❤️ pic.twitter.com/nD0ZAp7bPE
— Kevin (@imkevin149) January 7, 2026
A star has been born right here on the SCG .. The tempo / Approach and sophistication of Jacob Bethel at present is the blue print for Englands future Take a look at batters .. #Ashes
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 7, 2026
Not a poor day for England tbf! Scrap for one more 50/60 tomorrow….
— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) January 7, 2026
Bethell. Sensible. Delighted. Nuff mentioned!
— David Gower (@David215Gower) January 7, 2026
With the flick of the wrists and the elevate of the bat, a star is born.
The calmest man in Sydney, 22-year-old Jacob Bethell with an excellent century.#BBCCricket #Ashes pic.twitter.com/hXyDkIUf3M
— Henry Moeran (@henrymoeranBBC) January 7, 2026
England not selecting Bethell from the start is simply comical at this level
— Polly (@PollyPorridge) January 7, 2026
The narrative round Beau Webster in Take a look at cricket must go from “has executed nothing unsuitable to date” to “he’s executed the whole lot proper to date” #Ashes
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 6, 2026
Beau Webster presently averages 41 with the bat and 22 with the ball in Exams.#Ashes
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) January 7, 2026
I mentioned it when he made his Take a look at debut, that this Webster’s batting is extra technically appropriate than most of our Take a look at cricketers …
— Phil Gould (@PhilGould15) January 6, 2026
England lead by 119 runs on the finish of Day 4 within the SCG Take a look at 🙌
– Jacob Bethell continues to be on the crease at 142* 🏏#Ashes2025 #JacobBethell #SCG #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/PzCy6ilnys
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 7, 2026
Additionally WATCH: Cameron Green floors Jacob Bethell with a nasty bouncer on Day 4 of SCG Test
