'Still hasn't sunk in...': Jacob Bethell reacts to scoring his maiden Test hundred in Sydney

England batter Jacob Bethell remained unbeaten on 142 and proved to be the team's top performer on Day 4 of the fifth Ashes Test against Australia. Though the 22-year-old didn't have much experience when it comes to batting at the No.3 spot, he went on to play a terrific knock to keep England in the game. Thanks to the hundred, the visitors managed to take a 119-run lead.

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Bethell was fast-tracked into the Test side last year during England's tour of New Zealand. Though he left many impressed during the series by scoring three half-centuries, he barely featured in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy against India and then wasn't given an opportunity to play in the first three Ashes Tests. He was given a spot in the playing XI for the Melbourne Test and played a crucial knock of 40 as England chased down the 175-run target.

Bethell reflects on special hundred

He went on to significantly improve his performance in the fifth Test and brought up his first century in the format. Reacting to his knock, Bethell remarked that the feeling of scoring the hundred still hasn't sunk in and descibed the moment as "pretty special".

"I knew it was coming. It's just nice to get over that milestone. It still hasn't sunk in. That will give me the world of confidence to keep doing it, especially as people will now stop talking about it," Bethell told reporters after the end of day's play.

"I got a [ODI] hundred in the summer and I've had to wait a while to raise the bat again, but it's an addictive feeling. It's pretty special," he added.

Bethell keeps England alive

Bethell's knock saw England avoid being bowled out and finish Day 4 on 302/8. Though they do currently have the lead, they will not be looking to set a target of less than 175 for the hosts and will hope to take the match into the final session of the day. Bethell's batting partner Matthew Potts is yet to open his account after 10 deliveries and it remains to be seen as to how will the two perform on the much-anticipated fifth day.