On the fourth day of the Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, England's Jacob Bethell scored his maiden first-class century, contributing significantly to England establishing a 119-run lead by the close of play. England, starting their second innings with a deficit of 183 runs, concluded the day at 302 runs for eight wickets.
Match Overview
The day's play saw England erase their first-innings deficit and build a lead against Australia. Australian batsman Usman Khawaja led his team onto the field, an action that marked the conclusion of his 15-year career in Test cricket. Early in England's innings, Ben Stokes sustained an injury.
England's Batting Performance
Twenty-two-year-old Jacob Bethell was a central figure, remaining unbeaten with a score of 142 runs from 232 balls, including 15 fours. His innings lasted for six hours. Bethell commenced his innings after opener Zak Crawley was dismissed for one run leg before wicket by Mitchell Starc on the fifth ball of the first over. This marked the fourth instance in the series that England's opening partnership failed to survive the first over. Other contributions to England's score included Ben Duckett with 42 runs and Joe Root with six runs.
Australian Bowling Efforts
Australian bowlers secured eight wickets during England's innings. Mitchell Starc's dismissal of Zak Crawley was his 29th wicket of the series. Beau Webster took three wickets for 51 runs, dismissing Harry Brook and Will Jacks within three deliveries; Jacks was caught out on his second ball. Scott Boland, 36, dismissed Joe Root leg before wicket, a decision confirmed by DRS. Boland also secured the final wicket of the day, dismissing Brydon Carse, who was caught by Steve Smith in the slips. This dismissal marked Boland's 20th wicket of the series.