Bethell rings a bell

In scoring his first Test century on day four of the fifth Ashes Test, a sensational 142 not out that kept England alive for another day, Jacob Bethell provided the moment England fans can cling to when this Ashes defeat is all said and done, whether 4-1, 3-1 or 3-2.

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There is a future. And it comes from an elegant left-hander with a flash of peroxide.

"I've seen some hundreds but I don't think I've seen many better debut hundreds than that,” said former England captain Sir Alastair Cook.

Bethell’s century, which took the tourists to 302-8 and a lead of 119, makes the 22-year-old the seventh youngest man to score a Test hundred for England against Australia.

Having come in during the first over, he strolled to the nineties but 29 balls passed with Bethell a hit away from a century.

Harry Brook, England’s vice-captain, wafted and waved at Mitchell Starc bouncers at the other end. Bethell’s dad, Graham, took deep breaths in the stands.

It was the man that mattered most who appeared the calmest of all.

In November 2024, he reached 96 against New Zealand in his second Test, only to nick behind off Tim Southee.