First Time in 33 Years! Jacob Bethell's Sensational Ashes Century in Sydney Test

January 7, 2026: England cricketer Jacob Bethell grabbed attention on Day 4 of the fifth and final Ashes Test in Sydney with a brilliant second-innings century. His knock helped England wipe out the 183-run first-innings deficit. Batting at number three, Bethell showed great calm and kept the Australian bowlers under control throughout his innings.

This was Bethell’s first Test century. It was also the first time he crossed the 100-run mark in first-class cricket. With this feat, he became the first batter in 33 years to score his maiden first-class hundred in an Ashes series.

Ian Healy was the last player to achieve this milestone during Australia vs England Tests back in 1993. Notably, Bethell is only the second England cricketer to score his first red-ball hundred in the Ashes, after Jack Russell, who did it in 1989 at Old Trafford.

Maiden First-Class Hundreds in AUS vs ENG Tests

Jacob Bethell joined an elite list after scoring his maiden first-class hundred in the Sydney Test. He became one of the rare players to achieve this feat in Ashes history.

• Charles Bannerman (AUS), Melbourne, 1877
• Billy Murdoch (AUS), The Oval, 1880
• Percy McDonnell (AUS), Sydney, 1882
• Harry Graham (AUS), Lord’s, 1893
• Jack Russell (ENG), Old Trafford, 1989
• Ian Healy (AUS), Old Trafford, 1993
• Jacob Bethell (ENG), Sydney, 2026

Overall, Bethell is the fifth England player to score his first-ever first-class hundred in a Test match. The others to do so before him were Henry Wood, Jack Russell, Stuart Broad, and Gus Atkinson.

• England Players With Maiden First-Class Hundred in a Test
• Henry Wood vs South Africa, Cape Town, 1892
• Jack Russell vs Australia, Old Trafford, 1989
• Stuart Broad vs Pakistan, Lord’s, 2010
• Gus Atkinson vs Sri Lanka, Lord’s, 2024
• Jacob Bethell vs Australia, Sydney, 2026

Has Bethell Closed the Door on Ollie Pope?

Jacob Bethell has impressed since replacing Ollie Pope after the third Ashes Test. The left-hander played a key role in the run chase at the Boxing Day Test and followed it up with his maiden Test century in the second innings of the Sydney Test.

With this strong performance, Bethell has strengthened his position at number three. His form could make it difficult for Ollie Pope to return to the England playing XI in the next Test series.

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