Jacob Bethell struck a memorable maiden Test century to stretch the Ashes finale to a fifth day, defying Australia with an unbeaten 142 off 229 balls in an innings that combined attack and composure.

Despite his heroics, England’s hopes of setting a challenging fourth-innings target were hampered by familiar dismissals and a Sydney Cricket Ground surface producing unexpected sharp turn.

The 22-year-old’s innings, also his first century in first-class cricket, offered a rare bright spot for England. But with little support from the other end, a tense Australian chase remains unlikely.

England had briefly believed a second consecutive victory was within reach when they reached 219 for 3 in their second innings, holding a lead of 36 runs. But Beau Webster shifted momentum when he trapped Harry Brook lbw for 42, finishing with 3 for 51 in a late-afternoon burst.

Webster’s switch from seam to offspin exploited the SCG’s sharp turn, aided by erratic batting from Will Jacks and an adductor injury that forced captain Ben Stokes to retire hurt.

Amid the debate over spin bowling in Australia, the pronounced turn at the SCG served as a reminder of the traditional challenges the surface presents, leaving fans and purists uneasy.

England’s woes continued when Jamie Smith was run out for 26, adding to a series of calamitous dismissals as Australia moved closer to a commanding 4-1 series victory. With a thrilling final-day finish now unlikely, Usman Khawaja could still get a fairytale send-off in his Test career.

England’s second-innings struggle started when Mitchell Starc trapped Zak Crawley lbw on 1 with his first-over delivery. Crawley, who didn’t play a shot, ended a disappointing series with 273 runs from ten innings. Yet Bethell brought steadiness, while Ben Duckett offered resistance and looked to finish the tour on a high.

Duckett reached his highest score of the series but was eventually dismissed by Michael Neser, whose sharp deliveries exploited England’s vulnerabilities.

Joe Root, fresh off a first-innings 160, could not reverse the tide, falling lbw for 6 to Scott Boland after struggling to find fluency. Root received a warm send-off as he finished the series with exactly 400 runs, his two centuries anchoring England’s efforts.

Despite England still trailing by 66 runs, Bethell and Harry Brook batted briskly, testing an Australian attack feeling the strain. Bethell, unfazed by a 141kph bouncer from Cameron Green, played a series of exquisite cover drives and attacked short balls aggressively.

He surpassed his previous highest first-class score of 96 before finally reaching his century with a lofted strike over wide long-on, celebrating with steely determination as his father celebrated in the terraces.

The innings, a blend of resilience and flair, offered England a moment of pride in an otherwise challenging series, underscoring Bethell’s arrival as a promising talent in Test cricket.