Bethell’s elegant first Test century presses pause on Australia’s Ashes party

Fifth Test; day four: England 302-8 & 384; Australia 567Tourists lead by 119 after late wickets let hosts back inIt was good. So good. So unbelievably good. On the penultimate day of a tour packed with regret for England, a star was born as Jacob Bethell, 22 years young, compiled a truly golden hundred that offered hope for the future.There were no histrionics upon getting there either, no suggestion this was a maiden first-class century compiled in the heat of an Ashes Test. Instead, having skipped down to the off-spin of Beau Webster and belted a four, he reacted like an old pro – albeit one with parents welling up in the stands. Continue reading...

Bethell’s elegant first Test century presses pause on Australia’s Ashes party

It was good. So good. So unbelievably good. On the penultimate day of a tour packed with regret for England, a star was born as Jacob Bethell, 22 years young, compiled a truly golden hundred that offered hope for the future.

There were no histrionics upon getting there either, no suggestion this was a maiden first-class century compiled in the heat of an Ashes Test. Instead, having skipped down to the off-spin of Beau Webster and belted a four, he reacted like an old pro – albeit one with parents welling up in the stands.

Continue reading...