5th Ashes Test: Why is everyone speaking about Jacob Bethell? Why did even Brian Lara post videos of him? What is the connection?
Born in 2003, Bethell's prodigious talent caught the eye of legends like Brian Lara, who praised him at age 11, and Sir Garfield Sobers. Bethell made history on scoring 142 not out at the SCG.
Last Updated: 02.55 PM, Jan 07, 2026
The story of Jacob Bethell is not just about a young cricketer scoring runs; it is a narrative of predestination, cultural crossroads, and the birth of a new era in English cricket. To understand why legends like Brian Lara are so invested, you have to look at a journey that began in the Caribbean and reached its crescendo at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
The prophecy: A boy from Barbados
Born in Bridgetown, Barbados, in 2003, Bethell was a child prodigy in a land that breathes cricket. His talent was so undeniable that it caught the attention of the game’s greatest icons.
For the West Indies, Bethell represented the next great Bajan left-hander. However, at age 12, he moved to the UK on a scholarship to Rugby School, shifting the trajectory of his career from the West Indies to England.
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The historic Sydney century
On Wednesday, January 7, 2026, Bethell achieved what many are calling a "career-defining" feat. During the second innings of the fifth Ashes Test, he walked out under immense pressure with England trailing by 187 runs.
What followed was a masterclass of 142 not out. This wasn't just his first Test century; it was his first-ever First-Class century. To score your maiden professional hundred in an Ashes Test at the SCG is a feat of legendary proportions.
Why is the world hyping him?
The reason for the global excitement, and the "emotional" social media posts from his mentors, lies in these historic milestones:
He is the first England No. 3 in 14 years (since Jonathan Trott) to score an Ashes hundred.Youngest captainIn late 2025, he became England’s youngest international captain (age 21) in 136 years.The "blueprint"Michael Vaughan described his technique as the "blueprint for the future of England’s Test batting."Rare featHe became only the 6th Englishman in history to score his first-class maiden century in a Test match.The new No. 3
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For cricket historians, the story is layered with the ongoing drama of cricketing migration. Much like Jofra Archer, Bethell’s success is a testament to England's ability to polish diamond-level talent, but it is also a painful reminder for the West Indies of the generational stars they have lost.
When Brian Lara posts about Bethell, he is celebrating a "son of the soil" who has conquered the world, even if the crest on his helmet is a Three Lions rather than a Palm Tree.