WARWICKSHIRE’S Jacob Bethell scored a stunning maiden first class century for England in the fifth and final Ashes test against Australia.
Bethell kept England’s hopes alive on day four at the Sydney Cricket Ground as he reached 142 not out to help the visitors close on 302-8 at the end of play – a lead of 119 runs.
The 22-year-old eventually succumbed to the bowling of Mitchell Starc (3-72) for a score of 154 in a 265-ball knock on the final day.
Playing in just his sixth England test, Bethell managed 10 runs from 23 deliveries in the first innings as England reached 384 all out.
Bethell’s dismissal left England on 57-3 only for Joe Root (160) and Harry Brook (84) to help England past the 350-run mark.
However, Australia impressed with the bat to post 567 all out in reply thanks in large part to opener Travis Head (163).
Bethell claimed his first-ever Ashes wicket with the dismissal of Head after he trapped the opener LBW.
The all-rounder also took two catches to help remove Marnus Labuschagne (48) and Alex Carey (16).
Bethell finished with figures of 1-52 from 15.2 overs at an economy of 3.39 – the second lowest average behind only Josh Tongue (3-97).
Returning to the crease at number three in England’s second innings, Bethell helped his country recover from 4-1 after Zak Crawley (1) fell in the first over.
Bethell’s 142 not out on day four featured 15 boundaries in a 232-ball knock which frustrated Australia.
However, the hosts eventually took the scalp of Bethell with England all out for 342 leaving Australia in pursuit of 160 for victory.
And Australia reached the required target with five wickets to spare to win the series 4-1 as the tourists ended the Ashes series with another defeat,
Reflecting on his maiden first class century, Bethell told BBC Sport: “It was very good. It’s one of those wickets, the new ball was the trickiest part, once we got past that it was nice to bat on.
“Obviously it was goosebumps when I got over the line, on 99 there’s a few nerves – I made the mistake of getting out in the 90’s over in New Zealand.
“You just had to concentrate. All I was focusing on was watching the ball and playing every ball like I had done throughout the innings.
“I was very small growing up. I was only able to start hitting boundaries when I was 15 or 16-years-old. I had that ability to bat long periods of time which is instilled in me throughout now.”
