🏏 Bethell's Debut Ashes Ton Lights England Future

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Key Takeaways

1📊 7th youngest England Test centurion, 162 balls in Ashes
2🏆 Joins 7th keeper with Ashes ton like Bairstow, Ames
3💡 Barbados-born star already T20I captain at 22
4🔮 Poised for No.3 spot in future Tests, eyes more tons

"Jacob Bethell looks "born to play international cricket" and came of age with his maiden Test century in the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney."

Jacob Bethell has arrived with a bang, smashing his maiden Test century on day four of the fifth Ashes Test at Sydney, giving despairing England fans a rare glimmer amid the series wreckage.

Elegant left-hander Bethell, with his flash of peroxide hair, strolled out early and crafted a masterclass, reaching three figures in 162 balls. This gem makes him the seventh youngest Englishman to hit a Test ton and the seventh keeper to score one in Ashes history, joining legends like LEG Ames and Jonny Bairstow. As England trail by just 27 runs, his knock echoes Joe Root's Aussie specials but feels fresher, more hopeful.

Bethell's Elegant Assault

Coming in during the first over, Bethell built his innings on four gorgeous shots, including consecutive boundaries off Cameron Green. Sir Alastair Cook called it one of the best debut hundreds he's seen. At 22, the Barbados-born star, who captains England's T20I side, is no stranger to pressure—think his 110 off 76 against South Africa or joint-second fastest debut Test fifty versus New Zealand.