Bethell slams his first ton to leave Test on knife edge

SYDNEY: Rock-solid Jacob

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Bethell plundered a chanceless maiden Test century yesterday as England reeled in Australia then built a tenuous 119-run lead to leave the fifth and final Ashes Test on a knife edge.By stumps on day four at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the tourists were 302-8 with Bethell not out 142 and Matthew Potts yet to score.

The 22-year-old Bethell saved the day after Zak Crawley fell early and veteran Joe Root cheaply, powering to his hundred in style off 162 balls.

But wickets tumbled around him with Harry Brook (42) and Will Jacks (0) removed in the space of three balls by the part-time off-spin of Beau Webster two overs after Bethell reached the landmark.

"I certainly didn’t think I would [impact] with spin this game,” said Webster, who is more usually employed as a seaming all-rounder, but had figures of 3-51.

"That's the way it goes sometimes.” Australia opted not to play a specialist spinner, but Webster said the pitch had begun to take turn.

"There was a bit of wear and tear there from Starcy’s footmarks and we managed to make the most of it in that session.

"I was just trying to bowl my best ball. I don’t bowl them a hell of a lot.”

A calamitous mix-up then saw Jamie Smith (24) run out.