Sky Sports Cricket Podcast The Ashes Daily: Bethell's maiden century gives England faint hope
Jan 7, 2026
The hosts delve into Jacob Bethell's remarkable maiden century, celebrating its emotional significance at the SCG. They draw comparisons between Bethell's batting style and that of the iconic David Gower. Discussion shifts to the implications of his performance for England's lineup, specifically the number three position. The hosts also evaluate Josh Tong's impressive bowling and its effects on the Australian batsmen. Finally, they analyze England's chase strategy and reflect on the challenges that lie ahead in pursuit of victory.
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Bethell's Composed Maiden Century
- Jacob Bethell scored his maiden first-class and Test hundred at the Sydney Cricket Ground in a composed, old-fashioned number three innings.
- Ath describes the emotional family moment and compares the innings to David Gower's style, highlighting Bethell's calm confidence.
Technique Trumps Frenzy At No.3
- Bethell's calm, forward, stationary technique contrasts with Ollie Pope's frenetic style and gives England a reliable number three option.
- Ath suggests this innings settles the number-three question and shows the value of composed tempo in Test cricket.
Family Roots From Barbados
- Bethell's family have deep cricket roots from Barbados and have followed his journey across the tour, including Melbourne.
- Nas recounts the family's background and the long journey they made to watch him develop into a high-class Test innings scorer.