England stayed alive in the fifth and final Ashes Test as Jacob Bethell struck a superb, unbeaten maiden Test century on day four at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Bethell’s resolute 142 anchored England’s reply as they reached 302-8 at stumps, taking a slender 119-run lead over Australia.
The 22-year-old countered early blows, including the dismissals of Zak Crawley and Joe Root, but wickets fell regularly around him. Part-time spinner Beau Webster claimed key scalps to keep Australia in the contest, leaving the match finely poised heading into the final day.