Ashes 2025-26, Sydney Test, Day 4 review: Bethell's maiden ton keeps England afloat as Webster wreaks havoc around him

The Sydney Test moved into its penultimate day on Wednesday, January 7 as Australia began the day on 518/7 with Steve Smith (129*) and Beau Webster (42*) at the crease.

15 minutes into the day's play, it was England who suffered a blow as captain Ben Stokes who was bowling his second over of the day suffered a groin injury and left the field. Vice-captain Harry Brook took over the leadership duties and the visitors struck soon after as centurion Smith edged one to wicket-keeper Jamie Smith, bringing an end to his magnificent knock of 138.

Webster looked solid at the other end and kept going at a steady pace, adding crucial runs with Mitchell Starc (5 off 14). The latter was knocked over by Josh Tongue for five while number 11 Scott Boland was out caught for a golden duck. Webster was left stranded at 71* runs off 87 balls as Australia were all out for 567, leading by 183 runs.

For England, Brydon Carse and Tongue picked up three wickets each while Stokes took two. The spinners, Will Jacks and Bethell, picked up one wicket each.

England had an uphill task already and it got even tougher when Zak Crawley (1 off 2) was out leg before wicket off Starc in the first over. Bethell joined fellow southpaw Ben Duckett and the duo saw off the new ball. The batters looked comfortable in the middle as the partnership crossed the 50-run mark.

Australia needed a breakthrough badly and Michael Neser provided that in the form of Duckett (42 off 55) who chopped on to his stumps after making his highest score of the tour. The centurion of the first innings for England, Joe Root, arrived for one final time in the series. The star batter, however, could not contribute much this time around as he was trapped LBW by Boland for six. England stood at 117/3, still trailing by 66 runs.

Brook and Bethell formed a much-needed partnership as the duo took England to Tea at 174/3. The partnership was already worth 57 and the runs came at a good pace. The visitors continued in the same vein afterwards as the deficit was wiped off.

Bethell reached his maiden Test century as the partnership was now worth more than a hundred with the Aussies needing a wicket sorely. Webster turned to bowling off-breaks and the idea worked wonders. Brook (42 off 48) was out LBW against the run of play to a ball that turned into the batter, hitting his back pad.

Two balls later, new man Jacks (0 off 2) tried to deposit Webster into the stands in the deep mid-wicket region but was holed out by Cameron Green who took a fantastic diving catch. The game shifted in Australia's favour in the space of three balls as the home team looked upbeat once again with England at 219/5.

Jamie Smith lent a good helping hand as the partnership between him and Bethell was going on well. But, a misunderstanding in the middle for a run brought an end to Jamie Smith's innings for 26 off 41 balls. The skipper Stokes finally came out to bat at number 8, but could not last long as he was out caught in the slips by his counterpart for just one run.

Carse played a cameo of 16 before he was out in the slips caught by Steve Smith as well. England ended the day at 302/8 with Bethell (142*) and Matthew Potts (0*) at the crease. For Australia, Webster was the star as he ended the day with figures of 13-1-51-3.