Rock-solid Jacob Bethell struck a chanceless maiden Test century on Wednesday as England matched Australia’s first-innings total before edging ahead by 119 runs, leaving the fifth and final Ashes Test finely poised.
On day four at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the tourists were 302-8 by stumps, with Matthew Potts still unscored and Bethell not out at 142.
After veteran Joe Root was cheaply dismissed and Zak Crawley fell early, the 22-year-old Bethell saved the day by hitting his century off 162 balls.
However, two overs after Bethell hit the milestone, Beau Webster’s part-time off-spin dismissed Will Jacks (0) and Harry Brook (42) in three balls.
“I certainly didn’t think I would (impact) with spin this game,” said Webster, who, while having stats of 3-51, is more frequently used as a seaming all-rounder.
“That’s the way it goes sometimes.”
Although Australia chose not to use a specialist spinner, Webster said that the pitch had begun to take turn.
“There was a bit of wear and tear there from Starcy’s footmarks and we managed to make the most of it in that session. I was just trying to bowl my best ball. I don’t bowl them a hell of a lot.”
Jamie Smith (24) was ran out due to a disastrous mix-up. After limping out while delivering the third over of the day, clutching what seemed to be his groin, Ben Stokes (1) stepped in at seven. However, he only lasted five balls before Webster once more caused havoc.
England are desperate for another morale-boosting victory after their win in the previous Test at Melbourne. Australia, who lead the series 3-1, have already retained the Ashes.
Remarkably, Bethell’s maiden Test century was also his first hundred in red-ball cricket, surpassing his previous best of 96 against New Zealand.
Recalled for the Melbourne Test in place of the under-performing Ollie Pope, Bethell impressed with a gritty 40 in tough batting conditions, making the number three spot his to lose. His efforts came after Australia were bowled out for 567 before lunch, powered by Travis Head’s 163 and a 138 from captain Steve Smith.
England were left facing a 183-run deficit after being dismissed for 384 in their first innings.
Chief tormentor Mitchell Starc once again produced a first-over breakthrough—his 29th wicket for the series—but they still needed a strong start.
Crawley went out lbw for one after misjudging and leaving the pace spearhead’s lovely inswinger, which smacked his pads.
Michael Neser bowled fellow opener Ben Duckett on 42, his highest score in a miserable series, after he was dropped on 38 but failed to capitalize.
Starc and Neser terrorized Root, who had just scored 160 in his first innings. After facing 37 balls for his six runs against the unrelenting Scott Boland, Root eventually fell lbw, and the 35-year-old trudged off despondent.
Bethell, however, was immovable. Soon after tea, Australia’s lead was overturned by a single off Neser, and the young player decisively reached three figures with a brilliant boundary through midwicket.
However, Webster’s twin strike, which trapped Brook lbw before Jacks mysteriously holed out to Cameron Green in the deep, turned the tide back in favour of Australia.
England’s woes were made worse by Smith’s run-out. The wicketkeeper-batsman started for a single but was pushed back by Bethell and caught very short by a throw from Jake Weatherald.
Stokes edged Webster to Smith un the slips and on 16, Brydon Carse did the same against Boland.
With Smith on 129 following his 13th Ashes century—more than any other player save the great Don Bradman—and Webster on 42, Australia resumed at 518-7.
In his opening over, Smith lashed Stokes over the covers for a boundary, and Webster treated Carse similarly.
However, the Australian captain fell soon as he edged Josh Tongue’s fuller-length delivery to wicketkeeper Jamie Smith.
In his ninth Test, Webster scored his fifth half-century with a single and put up 20 with Starc before Tongue bowled the big pacer for five.
Boland suffered a golden duck, leaving Webster undefeated on 71. Carse finished with 3-130 and Tongue with 3-97.
