'I knew it was coming' insists centurion Bethell

JACOB

- RORY DOLLARD

England's Jacob Bethell hits out during day four of the fifth Ashes Test at Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday

(Philip Brown/Getty Images)

Bethell sealed his status as England’s next big thing with a name-making Ashes century then claimed: “It was always coming”.The 22-year-old has long been touted as a prodigious talent but was still awaiting his maiden first-class hundred when he came to the crease on day four of the final Test at the SCG.

With a top score of 93 in county cricket, and 96 in a brief Test career only just into its sixth game, he finally went all the way with a majestic 142 not out to strike back at an Australian attack circling in on victory.

In more than five-and-a-half hours at the crease he transformed a 183-run deficit into a lead of 119, dragging the match single-handedly into a fifth day from number three. With only Matthew Potts and Josh Tongue left for support at 302 for eight, England may still lose the series 4-1 but they have gained a captivating glimpse into their future.