Ashes 2025-26 : Jacob Bethell’s family steals the spotlight as he brings up maiden Test hundred on Day 4 of SCG game

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Jacob Bethell is a name that will echo in the halls of England cricket for years to come. On January 7, 2026, the 22-year-old batting prodigy did more than just steady a sinking ship at the Sydney Cricket Ground; he announced himself as a world-class talent by smashing his maiden Test century against Australia. In a script that felt almost too perfect, this milestone at the SCG was not only his first international ton but the very first First-Class century of his professional career. While his Bazball adjacent aggression and clinical footwork left the Australian bowlers searching for answers, it was the raw, unfiltered reaction of his family in the stands that became the defining image of the 2025-26 Ashes.

Stepping into the high-pressure number three slot on Day 4, Bethell faced a daunting task with England trailing significantly and their top order under fire. Having been touted as a generational talent since his debut in New Zealand, he finally delivered on that promise with an innings of pure substance. The left-hander reached the magical three-figure mark off 162 deliveries, passing his previous personal best of 96 with a fearless drive that pierced the cover region. This century was particularly symbolic; before this knock, Bethell had recorded nine First-Class half-centuries without ever crossing the line. Doing so at the historic SCG during a “Pink Test” ensured his name joined the elite list of Englishmen to have conquered Sydney.

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While Jacob’s bat-raise was a study in youthful composure, the cameras quickly panned to a far more emotional scene in the Member’s Stand. His parents, Graham and Giselle Bethell, who had flown in from Barbados to witness their son’s first Ashes tour, were caught in a moment of pure, unbridled joy. Giselle was seen clenching her hands in prayer before breaking into tears of relief as the ball hit the boundary, while Graham erupted in a jubilant celebration that captured the hearts of the 40,000-strong crowd. The contrast between the high-stakes pressure of the Ashes and the simple, profound pride of a family watching their son reach the pinnacle of the sport became an instant viral sensation, serving as a reminder of the human stories that underpin the fiercest rivalries in cricket.

A maiden Test century for Jacob Bethell! What a way to do it 🤩#Ashes | #PlayoftheDay | @nrmainsurance

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 7, 2026

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