Bethell's maiden ton lifts England

Jacob Bethel fulfilled his potential with a maiden Test century Wednesday as England builta fragile 19-run second-innings lead with two wickets remaining to give themselves a glimmer of hope in the final Ashes Test.

- Agencies

At the end of day four at the Sydney Cricket Ground, England had reached 302-8 with Bethell imperious on 142 not out and number 10 Matthew Potts yet to score. England are desperate for another morale-boosting win after victory in the previous Test at Melbourne. Australia lead 3-1 and have already retained the Ashes. It was the 22-year-old Bethell who kept their faint hopes alive after Zak Crawley fell early and first-innnings centurion Joe Root departed cheaply.

He powered to his hundred off 162 balls by smashing a lofted drive over mid-wicket for four.