Sydney, 07 January (H.S.): Despite Jacob Bethell's maiden Test and first-class century, England could not consolidate dominance by stumps on the fourth day of the ongoing Test match at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, reaching 302 for eight in their second innings to hold a slender 119-run lead, with Australia retaining a firm grip on proceedings.

Resuming at 518 for seven, Australia pushed to 567 all out, propelled by Travis Head's 163 and Steve Smith's 138, as Beau Webster notched a fifty alongside a century stand with Smith before England struck back decisively.

Josh Tongue dismantled the innings with Smith caught behind in the 129th over, followed by Mitchell Starc's dismissal, while Will Jacks cleaned up Scott Boland for a duck—yet captain Ben Stokes exited early, sidelined by a right adductor injury sustained while bowling.

Trailing by 183 from the first innings' 384, England's second dig faltered immediately with Mitchell Stark trapping Jack Crawley lbw in the opening over, but Ben Duckett and Bethell countered aggressively for an 81-run stand, propelling to 80 for one at lunch.

Post-interval, Duckett departed, Joe Root scratched four painstaking runs, yet Bethell anchored steadfastly, forging a century partnership with Harry Brook for the third wicket and reaching his landmark ton with a boundary off the 50th over.

England leveled scores after tea, only for Webster to pivot momentum with Brook's lbw and Jacks' scalp, precipitating a collapse from 219 for three to 267 for seven. A promising alliance between Jamie Smith and Bethell unraveled via a mix-up run-out, Stokes succumbed in slips soon after, leaving Bethell unbeaten on 142—supported by Brook's 42 and Duckett's 42—under relentless Australian pressure in the final overs.

Brief Scores:

Australia 567 (Travis Head 163, Steve Smith 138; Beau Webster 3/51); England 384 & 302/8 (Jacob Bethell 142*). England lead by 119 runs.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar