Australia and England’s final clash of the Ashes 2025-26 at the Sydney Cricket Ground has been jolted into life by a stirring fightback led by Jacob Bethell’s maiden Test century on an emotionally charged Pink Test Day 4. Under grey skies and a sea of pink in support of the McGrath Foundation, the 20-year-old all-rounder produced an innings that has not only dragged England back into the contest but also announced a new batting force in Ashes cricket.
Jacob Bethell’s maiden ton lights up Pink Ashes Test
Walking in with England still 98 runs behind and under immense scoreboard pressure after Australia’s imposing 567, Bethell began his second-innings vigil with a mixture of restraint and quiet intent. Early on he survived a searching new-ball burst from Mitchell Starc and Michael Neser, then settled into a rhythm through judicious drives and late cuts, bringing up his fifty from 87 deliveries with seven fours as England moved past three figures at a steady tempo.
The defining passage came in the final session as the pitch began to slow and Australia rotated their seamers in search of the knockout blow. Bethell shrugged off a nasty earlier blow from a Cameron Green bouncer and, in a nod to his white-ball schooling, started to unfurl bolder strokes once the ball softened and the field pushed back. He moved into the 90s with a series of crisp punches through the off side and clipped singles with Harry Brook, yet lingered in the nervous nineties for several overs as the SCG crowd, tinged pink, grew increasingly invested in every defensive prod.
On 99, after five agonising balls without finding the fence, the moment finally arrived in dramatic style. Dancing down the track to Beau Webster, Bethell launched his off-spinner high over wide long-on, the ball sailing to the rope to bring up his maiden Test century from 162 balls, studded with 13 fours. As his teammates rose on the balcony, cameras cut to his family in the stands, visibly emotional at a coming‑of‑age landmark forged against Australia in the cauldron of a live Ashes decider.
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Here’s how fans reacted:
Youngest England players to score an Ashes hundred (Post-WWII)
21y 258d – David Gower, Perth (WACA), 1978
21y 357d – Alastair Cook, Perth (WACA), 2006
22y 7d – Colin Cowdrey, Melbourne, 1954
22y 76d – Jacob Bethell, Sydney, 2026
22y 196d – Ben Stokes, Perth (WACA), 2013#Ashes pic.twitter.com/2xl6wFWgLK— sports__life (@statecraft__) January 7, 2026
He is the man of the 2nd innings…
A maiden test 100 at SCG is crazy
Jacob Bethell #Ashes2025 pic.twitter.com/cHMUayHKTI
— Asvanth (@asvanth1808) January 7, 2026
Man, Jacob Bethell’s father literally cried during his maiden Test century moment at the SCG.
Every cricketer’s family waits for this moment. This moment shows pure joy, happiness, emotion, and pride.
Star boy Jacob Bethell pic.twitter.com/qCN3mmSozN
— Sonu (@Cricket_live247) January 7, 2026
Great Test batters like Root struggled for years to score even a single century in Australia but it took Jacob Bethell just one series
Star boy for a reason #Ashes2025 #AUSvsENG pic.twitter.com/gbaKpgvKq7
— Rinku Yadav (@yadavrinku2025) January 7, 2026
RCB blood Jacob Bethell smashed century
But Mumbai Indians blood Will jack out on duck
Well done young man hope you will get many more in future #AUSvsENG #AUSvENG#Ashes2025 pic.twitter.com/d6Sb29bhR4— Satya (@duary_satyajit) January 7, 2026
MAIDEN TEST HUNDRED FOR 22-YEAR OLD JACOB BETHELL
– A Superstar in making for England in all formats, Hundred of highest quality when the team is trailing by 183 runs.
The journey to Greatness…!!!!pic.twitter.com/cKdSEu8mVt
— Sujeet Gupta (@sujeet_gupta45) January 7, 2026
A STAR IS BORN!
Jacob Bethell reaches his maiden Test century and look at what it means!
Pure class, raw power, and nerves of steel.
To do it with such flair proves he’s exactly where he belongs.
The first of many for this young gun! pic.twitter.com/4Tz7BBgltZ
— Hemant Bhavsar (@hemantbhavsar86) January 7, 2026
Moments like these mean everything
A day Jacob Bethell and his family will cherish forever!
: Jio Star #AUSvENG #JacobBethell #AshesSeries #Ashes pic.twitter.com/8pYOZczuCk
— Jitendra Kumar (@jitenda60203698) January 7, 2026
Century for Jacob Bethell pic.twitter.com/FnIbdNf7Lq
— Dileep Balasiya (@DileepBalasiya) January 7, 2026
Maiden Test hundred for Jacob Bethell #JacobBethell #Ashes #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/2DhZwi6cjP
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 7, 2026
England’s resistance against Australia sparks late Ashes twist
Australia seized a commanding 183-run advantage after posting 567, driven by Travis Head’s explosive 163, skipper Steven Smith’s assured 138, and Beau Webster’s unbeaten 71, highlighted by a crucial 100-run eighth-wicket alliance. England replied with 384 as Joe Root made 160, Brook 84, and Jamie Smith 46, before Michael Neser claimed 4/60, despite resistance from Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue, Ben Stokes, and Bethell bowling.
At drinks of the third seesion on Day 4, England edged ahead by 36, with Bethell unbeaten on 106 and scope for Stokes, Jamie, and others to build on. This defiant response in the Pink Ashes decider, amid pink stumps, caps and buzzing crowds, reignited English belief, turning the SCG into a tense theatre as Bethell’s innings drew cheers and hinted at promise despite the series deficit.
Also WATCH: Cameron Green floors Jacob Bethell with a nasty bouncer on Day 4 of SCG Test
