In a remarkable display of skill and temperament, young England batter Jacob Bethell etched his name into the cricketing history books during the final Ashes Test against Australia. His maiden century in the longest format has placed him alongside an exclusive group of legends, including former Indian captain Kapil Dev.
A Historic Innings at the SCG
The historic moment unfolded on Wednesday, 7th January 2026, at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). With the fifth and final Test of the Ashes 2025-26 series meandering towards a draw, Bethell walked in after the early dismissal of opener Zak Crawley in England's second innings. While other batters found the conditions challenging, the youngster displayed exceptional composure in front of a packed crowd.
Bethell's innings was a masterclass in patience and technique. He reached his milestone, a maiden Test hundred, with a confident boundary off Australian bowler Beau Webster. The moment was made even more special with his family present in the stands to witness his achievement. At the time of writing, he was unbeaten on 135 runs, helping England's lead cross the 100-run mark.
Joining an Elite International List
This century is significant beyond the context of the Ashes. Jacob Bethell has become the first English batter to record both his List A and first-class hundreds at the international level. His first ODI century came against South Africa in Southampton last year.
By achieving this dual feat, Bethell enters a very rare club. Before him, only a handful of cricketers had scored their maiden first-class and List-A hundreds in international matches. This elite list includes:
- Kapil Dev (India)
- Marlon Samuels (West Indies)
- Mehidy Hasan Miraz (Bangladesh)
- Curtis Campher (Ireland)
His inclusion in this list, particularly alongside a World Cup-winning icon like Kapil Dev, underscores the unique nature of his accomplishment.
What This Means for England's Future
Bethell's knock in a high-pressure Ashes environment, albeit in a dead rubber, signals the arrival of a promising talent with a strong mentality. His ability to graft and build an innings on Australian soil, where many of his teammates struggled, has been widely praised by pundits and fans alike.
This innings will undoubtedly boost his confidence and cement his place in the national side's future plans. It serves as a bright spot for England in a series that has already been decided, pointing towards a new generation of players capable of performing on the biggest stages. The cricketing world will now watch keenly to see how Bethell builds on this spectacular foundation.
