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

Jacob Bethell celebrates after scoring his century on day four of the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG. Photograph: Mark Baker/AP

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.