Bethell's maiden century stalls Australia's victory march in fifth Ashes test

SYDNEY, Jan 7 : ‌Jacob Bethell scored his maiden test century to lead an England rearguard action on the fourth day of the fifth test on Wednesday but Australia still looked firmly set for victory and a 4-1 series triumph.

Anchored by Bethell's 142 not out, England reached the close of play on 302 for eight with a modest lead of 119 runs over Australia's bumper first-innings tally of 567.

If England are to defy Australia to close out the series on a relatively good pitch, they are likely to have to do so without the bowling of captain Ben Stokes, who pulled up with a groin issue in the ‌first hour of the day.

Bethell has looked a strong addition to the team after coming into ‌the side in place of Ollie Pope for England's fourth test victory in Melbourne last week.

The 22-year-old confirmed his promise on Wednesday, holding England's innings together in a string of big partnerships - 81 runs with opener Ben Duckett, 102 with Harry Brook and 45 with Jamie Smith.

Playing only his sixth test, Bethell spent a nervous couple of overs on 99 before reaching the most important milestone in the game with a crunching four.

His partners fared less well.

Duckett was bowled by Michael Neser for 42 soon after lunch when he looked well-set, Brook was ousted lbw for ‍the same score on an Australian DRS appeal, and Smith was farcically run-out for 26.

Stokes lasted five balls and scored one run when he did finally come out to bat, caught in the slips off a thick edge to leave his team clinging on at 267-7 and give Australia all-rounder Beau Webster his third wicket of the day.

Webster (3-51) had earlier shattered English hopes of giving Australia a fourth-innings run chase that might truly test ​them when he removed Brook and Will Jacks in