SYDNEY: Jacob Bethell played a resilient innings as England reached 174-3, just nine runs behind Australia by tea on day four of the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday. Harry Brook supported Bethell on 24 as the tourists aimed to erase a 183-run deficit after their first innings 384.
Australia had posted 567 in their first innings, powered by 163 from Travis Head and 138 from captain Steve Smith. England captain Ben Stokes limped off with a suspected groin injury early in the day and did not return to bat.
Read More: Head and Smith centuries put Australia in charge of final Ashes Test
Mitchell Starc struck early, removing Zak Crawley for one with a perfectly pitched inswinger, his 29th wicket of the series. Ben Duckett contributed 42 before edging to Michael Neser, while Joe Root, fresh from a first innings century, was trapped lbw by Scott Boland for six.
Jacob Bethell’s maiden Test century comes in an Ashes away series 💯#AUSvENG | #WTC27 | Live 📱 https://t.co/s3J1ihg2Gy pic.twitter.com/LS1VU5KjXC
— ICC (@ICC) January 7, 2026
Bethell, 22, remained unbeaten on 79 and celebrated a fourth Test half-century, looking to cement his place in England’s number three slot. Duckett and Bethell had survived a nervous period, including a dropped catch by Cameron Green off Duckett’s 38.
Earlier, Australia had resumed at 518-7, with Smith on 129 and Beau Webster on 42. Smith, on his 13th Ashes century, fell to Josh Tongue, while Webster reached 71 not out, marking his fifth Test half-century. Starc, Michael Neser, Brydon Carse, and Tongue shared the wickets as England attempted to claw back a sizeable deficit in the series, already sealed 3-1 by Australia.
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England now needs a strong final session to close the gap and salvage pride in the last Ashes Test, with Bethell providing a calm anchor at the crease.