SYDNEY, Jan 7, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - England youngster Jacob Bethell cracked a maiden century Wednesday in the fifth Ashes Test against Australia to cement himself as a star of the future.

The 22-year-old powered to his hundred in style off 162 balls in Sydney, raising his bat towards his emotional family in the stands.

Remarkably, it was not just a maiden Test ton but the only one he has scored in red-ball cricket, with his previous best 96 against New Zealand.

Bethell made his debut against New Zealand in Christchurch in late 2024, crunching half-centuries in each of the three Tests during the series after incumbent number three Ollie Pope slid down the order.

His progress was then hampered by injury and Pope hitting form back at three.

Bethell was recalled for the fourth Test in Melbourne to replace Pope, scoring a gritty 40 in difficult batting conditions with the number three position now his to lose.

Australia have already retained the Ashes.