
jacob bethel A name that will echo in the halls of English cricket for many years to come. On January 7, 2026, the 22-year-old batsman did more than just take charge of a sinking ship at the Sydney Cricket Ground; He defeated him and declared himself a world class talent. First test century against AustraliaIn a script that seemed almost too perfect, this milestone at the SCG was not only his first international century but also the first first-class century of his professional career, While his buzzball aggression and clinical footwork left the Australian bowlers searching for answers, it was the raw, unfiltered reaction of his family in the stands that became the defining image of the 2025-26 Ashes,
Jacob Bethel’s first Test century at SCG
Stepping into the high-pressure number three slot on the fourth day, Bethel faced a tough task, with England trailing well behind and their top order under fire. Since his debut he has been hailed as a generational talent new zealandHe finally delivered on that promise with an innings of pure substance. The left-handed batsman reached the magical three-figure mark in 162 balls, surpassing his previous personal best of 96 with a fearless drive that pierced the cover region. This century was particularly symbolic; Before this knock, Bethel had recorded nine first-class half-centuries without ever crossing the boundary. Doing so at the historic SCG during the “Pink Test” added his name to an elite list of Englishmen to conquer Sydney.
Graham and Giselle Bethel react to son Jacob’s century
While Jacob’s raising of the bat was a study of youthful restraint, the camera immediately focused on a far more emotional scene in the member’s stand. his parents, Graham and Giselle BethelJoe had flown in from Barbados to watch his son’s first Ashes tour, caught up in a moment of pure, unbridled joy. As the ball hit the boundary, Gisele was seen clasping her hands in prayer before shedding tears of relief, while Graham celebrated with joy that won over the crowd of 40,000. The contrast between the high-stakes pressure of the Ashes and the family’s simple, intense pride in seeing their son reach the pinnacle of the game became an instant viral sensation, reminiscent of the human stories that underpin one of the fiercest rivalries in cricket.
Here is the video:
Jacob Bethel’s first test century! What’s the way to do it?#ash , #PlayoftheDay , @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/lXSUViEVrR
– cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) 7 January 2026
See also: Cameron Green demolishes Jacob Bethel with a vicious bouncer on day four of the SCG Test

