Quick Read
- Jacob Bethell scored his maiden Test century in the Fifth Ashes Test at the SCG in January 2026.
- He reached triple figures in 162 deliveries, showcasing exceptional composure despite it being his first first-class century.
- Bethell’s innings was praised for its ‘old school’ style, contrasting with England’s ‘Bazball’ approach, emphasizing temperament and classic cricketing shots.
- England’s captain Ben Stokes was struggling with a groin injury during the match, and Bethell was involved in the run-out of Jamie Smith.
- His performance offered a glimmer of hope for England’s Test future amidst a challenging Ashes series where Australia had already retained the urn.
In the often-brutal crucible of Ashes cricket, where careers are forged or falter, a young English talent, Jacob Bethell, etched his name into the annals of the sport in January 2026. Amidst a challenging series for England, his maiden Test century at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) emerged not just as a personal triumph, but as a beacon of hope for a nation grappling with the realities of a lost Ashes campaign. It was a performance that spoke volumes of his temperament, technique, and the quiet resilience that often defines true sporting greatness.
A Young Star’s Defining Moment in Sydney
The 2026 Ashes series had, by the time the fifth Test rolled around, already been decided, with Australia retaining the coveted urn. England found themselves in familiar territory, trailing the series, either 3-1 or 4-1 depending on previous results, searching for a morale-boosting victory to salvage pride. It was in this context, on day four at the SCG, that the blonde left-hander, Jacob Bethell, then 22 years old, stepped into the spotlight. Having missed selection for the first three Tests, he was ‘shoehorned’ into the starting XI, a move that some critics, as reported by Fox Sports, viewed as ‘throwing a kid to the wolves’ after a period of ‘Ashes humiliation’. Yet, as former Australian spinner Kerry O’Keeffe aptly put it on Fox Cricket, the management ‘knew they had the right kid’.
Bethell’s journey to triple figures was a masterclass in composure. He reached his maiden Test century in 162 deliveries, passing the milestone with a lofted glance through mid-wicket, landing inches from the boundary rope. His celebration was notably subdued; a wry smile, a chew of gum, and a calm salute to the Sydney crowd, a stark contrast to the emotional outpouring often seen after such a landmark. His family, however, rejoiced in the stands, embracing and holding back tears, fully understanding the magnitude of the achievement. This wasn’t just his first Test century; remarkably, it was his first first-class century ever, making him only the fifth man to achieve this rare feat in a Test match for England, as highlighted by BBC Sport. He also became the seventh youngest man to score a Test hundred for England, further underscoring his prodigious talent.
The innings unfolded against a backdrop of fluctuating fortunes. Australia had posted a formidable 567 in their first innings, with Steve Smith scoring 138 and Travis Head 163. England, after their first innings of 384, were chasing a significant deficit. Bethell’s century was critical in narrowing Australia’s lead. His partners at the crease faced their own challenges. Jamie Smith was unluckily run out due to a mix-up with Bethell, who hooked into the leg side and set off, only for Smith to commit too hard and be sent back, caught short by Marnus Labuschagne’s sharp work. England’s captain, Ben Stokes, was also visibly struggling with a groin injury, limping to the crease and later dismissed by Beau Webster, caught by Steve Smith, unable to move freely. Bethell’s composure was evident even in these moments, as seen when he wisely advised Matt Potts not to farm the strike against Scott Boland, recognizing the danger of exposing the tail-enders.
An ‘Old School’ Masterclass Amidst Modern Cricket
What made Bethell’s century particularly striking was its style, often described as ‘old school’ and a departure from the aggressive ‘Bazball’ approach that England has championed. He never resorted to recklessness, playing under his eyeline and respecting the good deliveries. With composure and temperament beyond his years, he ‘soaked up pressure rather than looking to heap it on the opposition,’ flourishing in the challenging Australian conditions, noted Fox Sports. This was ‘proper Test match batting,’ as observed by former England bowler Isa Guha, who added, ‘He’s looked completely at ease in Test match cricket.’
His innings was built on a foundation of classic cricketing shots: well-timed back-foot punches, clips from his pads to keep the scoreboard ticking, a glorious on-drive off Michael Neser, and a dismissive pull off Cameron Green through mid-wicket that made a statement. Former cricketer Alastair Cook, speaking on TNT Sports and quoted by BBC Sport, lauded his ‘guts and determination,’ noting his proficiency with ‘clip, pull, drive and cut’ – hallmarks of a ‘classic number three innings.’ This maturity was a far cry from his previous near-misses, such as reaching 96 against New Zealand in November 2024 before nicking behind, or a ‘tortured five from 31 balls’ in a Test defeat by India after months on the sidelines.
Throughout day four, Bethell’s calm presence was a constant. While bowlers like Scott Boland and Beau Webster tried to break through, Bethell remained steadfast. In the 75th over, he was ‘on point in defence’ against Boland. Earlier, in the 74th, he charged and sliced over the off side for a single, giving Potts the strike. He showed ‘excellent awareness and hustle between the pegs’ to get back for a second run on Neser’s arm in the 73rd over. Even as Australia raced over rates, Bethell continued to farm the strike, poking and prodding the ball to deep fielders, taking easy singles when offered. His ability to negotiate the Australian attack, which at times looked tired and low on firepower, made some of his more experienced teammates ‘look foolish,’ as Fox Sports bluntly put it.
The Path Ahead: Balancing Formats and Expectations
Bethell’s journey to this moment has been unique. Born in Barbados, he moved to the UK at age 12 for a cricket scholarship, quickly rising through the ranks as an Under-19 international. His talent was recognized early, leading to his debut in New Zealand in 2024 despite lacking a professional century. His leadership qualities were also evident, as he was made England’s youngest captain on a white-ball tour of Ireland. However, the true challenge for Bethell, as former England captain Michael Vaughan suggested on Fox Cricket, will be managing the pressures of juggling the three formats of the game.
In a world increasingly dominated by lucrative domestic T20 leagues, such as the Indian Premier League (IPL) where Bethell played alongside Virat Kohli, the demands on multi-format players are immense. Many of his teammates have struggled to switch gears between white-ball and Test cricket. Vaughan questioned the emphasis on ‘every lateral white ball series,’ advocating for strategic player development that might prioritize red-ball form. BBC Sport noted that Bethell was due to return to the IPL after a brief eight-day break following the Ashes, rather than consolidating his red-ball form in April and May. This decision highlights the ongoing tension between financial opportunities and traditional cricketing development.
For England, Bethell’s emergence at number three offers a compelling solution to a long-standing problem. Ollie Pope, despite flashes of brilliance, had not fully cemented his spot in the Test side, particularly against Australia, where he failed to pass 50 in 15 innings. Bethell, in just his second Ashes Test, delivered one of England’s best hundreds down under. This stark contrast underscores the potential Bethell holds as a long-term replacement, providing a stable and fluent presence in a crucial batting position. The question for England’s management is how best to nurture this talent, ensuring he can build his career on such innings and truly become ‘born to play international cricket,’ as BBC Sport aptly put it.
Jacob Bethell’s maiden Test century in the 2026 Ashes was more than just a personal milestone; it was a potent symbol of resilience and future promise for English cricket. Amidst a series that underscored England’s ongoing challenges, Bethell’s calm, ‘old school’ approach, combined with his undeniable talent, offered a compelling vision of what could be. His ability to perform under immense pressure, particularly as a young player without a prior first-class century, suggests a cricketer with the mental fortitude and technical skill to navigate the complexities of international cricket for years to come.