LIVE: Bethell keeps England within a fighting chance

• What time do The Ashes start in my state?
• Listen Live: Every ball of the Ashes right here
• Australia begins Day 4 on 7/518 with Steve Smith (129) and Beau Webster (42) not out
• The hosts lead by 134 runs
• The first ball will be bowled at 10am AEDT

It's Day 4 of the Fifth Ashes Test at the SCG with Australia looking to put England to the sword with a big lead to chase in their second innings.

Can Steve Smith and Beau Webster continue to wear out this English bowling attack or will the visitors strike back?

Will today be the final day of this Ashes or will England dig in and get us to Day 5?

You can follow all the big moments right here on with SEN.com.au's live blog of the day's play.

6:00 - STUMPS

England 8/302 - Bethell 142, Potts 0

He was almost dismissed with the final two balls, but Jacob Bethell made it through to the end of Day 4 unbeaten on 142.

It's been a sensational innings by the 22-year-old, who has looked to make the No. 3 his own following Pope's struggles earlier in the series.

And England is going to need him to go beyond 150 in both an individual score and innings lead on Day 5 to try and secure back-to-back Test wins.

5:50 - England crosses 300

England 8/300 - Bethell 140, Potts 0

With a nicely run two, England is now at the 300 run mark with Jacob Bethell having led the way.

They now lead by 117 runs, with any hopes of a competitive total for Australia being dependent on how long he can last.

5:40 - WICKET - Carse

England 8/297 - Bethell 136, Potts 0

And Australia gets another.

This time, it's Brydon Carse who falls for 16.

With the first slip and the keeper up for Scott Boland, the Victorian has been rewarded with his tight line and length to find Carse's edge, which travelled to Steven Smith at first.

They could have them all out by the end of the day if all goes according to plan for Australia.

Matthew Potts is now in.

5:24 - WICKET - Stokes

England 7/267 - Bethell 124, Carse 0

The game has broken in Australia's favour.

The injured Stokes, who was clearly struggling to move, swung at an off-break ball from Beau Webster, which found the bat's edge.

And it flew through to first slip, which was taken by Steve Smith.

The captain was only able to add one run to England's total, seeing them now lead by 84 runs.

Brydon Carse now comes in with the tail, starting to get exposed.

A target of 200 seems out of reach for the visitors.

5:17 - WICKET - Smith

England 6/265 - Bethell 124, Stokes 0

There appears to be something about Marnus Labuschagne's bowling that induces the wicket of Jamie Smith.

The wicketkeeper tried to run a single from the non-strikers' end that wasn't really there and was sent back by Bethell.

With Smith halfway down the track, Jake Weatherald throws the ball down the other end and departs for 26.

It's not as bad as his first innings dismissal, but it wasn't that much better.

And Simon Katich is laying all the blame on the wicketkeeper.

Katich: "That's Smith's fault. There's no need for that."

With that, Ben Stokes now comes to the crease.

5:03 - The final hour dawns upon Day 4

England 5/252 - Bethell 118, Smith 20

Following some uncertainty, Jamie Smith and Jacob Bethell have managed to get England's innings back on track as they pass 250.

This sees them lead by 69 runs, with this partnership needing to last as long as possible to ensure England can set a competitive target.

4:40 - Update on Stokes

England 5/229 - Bethell 109, Smith 6

There has been some speculation as to whether Ben Stokes would bat following an injury to his adductor.

But according to the eagle-eyed Damien Fleming, he has spotted Stokes with pads on, making him likely to fill the No. 8 spot in the innings.

4:26 - WICKET - Jacks

England 5/219 - Bethell 106, Smith 0

And one brings two.

Beau Webster is doing it all, having now taken his second wicket in the over.

Will Jacks tried to go after him with a big shot towards the leg side.

But instead, he finds Cam Green in the deep, leaving Damien Fleming confused as to why Jacks tried to smash it.

Fleming: "That's a bizarre shot."

The off-spin is causing mayhem here at the SCG.

4:18 - WICKET - Brook

England 4/219 - Bethell 106, Jacks 0

What a review by Steve Smith!

Beau Webster with his off spin managed to land the ball in the rough and get Brook on the pads.

It was initially given not out with the ball seeming to have spun too far.

But on review the decision has been overturned and Australia gets the break through they needed.

With Ben Stokes being injured, Will Jacks comes to the crease.

4:10 - Bethell makes his maiden ton

England 3/210 - Bethell 103, Brook 36

And he's done it! Jacob Bethell is a Test centaurian in only his sixth match.

Having been stuck on 99 for the last three overs, he finally gets the run he has so desperately desired with a beautiful lofted shot for four.

The 22-year-old joins Joe Root as the only Englishman to have made a century on this tour.

He has looked so assured and has played at a steady pace, bringing it up in 162 balls.

Having been viewed as a BazBall batting prototype, this innings will certainly help show his quality beyond just his ball striking with this also being his first red-ball century at the first-class or international level.

It will go a long way in helping justify the potential he's shown under Brendon McCullum's England set-up.

3:43 - Bethell enters 90s

England 3/191 - Bethell 92, Brook 28

This is the second time in his short Test career that Bethell has entered the 90s.

But he'll be hoping to avoid a repeat of last time having gotten out for 96 against New Zealand back in 2024.

3:36 - How many runs does England need to set Australia?

England 3/177 - Bethell 81, Brook 25

During the Tea Break, Simon Katich and Tom Morris would discuss how many runs England needed to be leading by to set Australia a competitive total.

The visitors find themselves just six runs away from taking the lead.

Katich: "A lot depends on how much time is left in the Test."

"We've seen Australia completely dismantle their bowling line-up."

"And given what we saw in Perth, Australia, could chase down 200 or 250 off 40/50 overs if they have to.

"I think they need a minimum of 250 in front to put some sort of pressure for Australia."

3:30 - The third session is underway

England 3/174 - Bethell 79, Brook 24

3:13 - TEA

England 3/174 - Bethell 79, Brook 24

Jacob Bethell is really asserting himself at the SCG, having made a very important 79-run knock as he and Harry Brook go into the Tea break just nine runs behind Australia's total.

England fans will be hoping that this can turn into a 100-run partnership and beyond with England likely wanting to set an aggressive total for Australia to chase on Day 5.

3:09 - Bethell and Brook makes it a 50

England 3/170 - Bethell 78, Brook 20

Jacob Bethell and Harry Brook are closing in on Australia's lead as they get within 13 runs of their lead.

And they do so bringing up a 50-run partnership.

2:53 - Bethell equals Ollie Pope

England 3/146 - Bethell 74, Brook 7

With the single there from Bethell, he now equals Ollie Pope's series total of 125 runs.

2:30 - WICKET - Root

England 3/117 - Bethell 56, Brook 0

Scott Boland has been rewarded handsomely for his exceptional bowling with the prized wicket of Joe Root, who made 6.

He got him right in front with the review showing umpire's call with the ball projected to hit the bails between the middle and leg stump.

It's certainly an unfortunate way for Joe Root to depart for what is likely his last Test match in Australia.

2:24 - Why Katich's likes Smith's approach to Bethell

With Steve Smith changing his field for Jacob Bethell, which includes a short leg and a gully, Simon Katich likes this approach to the 22-year-old.

Katich: "I like this from Smith."

"Now he's asking the young man, what are you going to do?"

"(Starc), around the wicket, change of angle."

"Bethell has played the short ball well so far. He's played some beautiful cut shots off the back foot."

2:05 - Bethell notches up 50

England 2/114 - Bethell 54, Root 5

Jacob Bethell has now brought his half-century with a classy cut shot, which races to the boundary.

Since coming into the side in Melbourne, he has looked far more experienced and assured compared to Ollie Pope, who he replaced in the squad.

If he can get another 21 runs, he would surpass Pope's run total for the series and really cement his spot at No. 3.

1:55 - Australia burns a review

England 2/99 - Bethell 39, Root 5

Steve Smith would definitely want a do-over on that review just now.

Scott Boland has continued his strong form, having struck Joe Root on the pads with the ball being caught in the slips cordon for a potential catch.

Chris Gaffaney gave it not out on both fronts with Smith reviewing before the timer reached the halfway mark.

His decision is quickly reaffirmed by the third umpire, with the ball hitting outside off alongside the ball having clearly ballooned off the tip of his pad and bottom on his thigh pad rather than the bat.

Australia has two reviews remaining.

1:49 - Root finds the gap

England 2/98 - Bethell 38, Root 5

Joe Root has gotten a thick edge, but it finds the gap within the slip cordon to race away for a four.

Had there been a third slip, Root would have likely faced his last ball in an away Ashes series.

1:35 - Flem's Ashes Grades (Crawley and Duckett)

England 2/92 - Bethell 36, Root 1

With both openers having now departed, Damien Fleming has given his pass/fail assessment on both Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett.

Both would struggle with the bat, with both averaging in the 20s, but Flem would only give one a fail grade.

Fleming on Crawley: "I'll give him just a pass."

"Because he did make a pair in his First Test (at Perth)."

"I hope he has learned a bit out of that Adelaide Test, hopefully that kicks him on."

Fleming on Duckett:

"Massive fail."

"I must admit, I thought Perth might have troubled him, but I expected him to make a lot of runs out here.

"Wishy-washy batting and fielding below Test standard."

"It almost looked like he was hidden in the field."

1:22 - WICKET - Duckett

England 2/85 - Bethell 30, Root 0

And just as he nears a half century, Ben Duckett has gotten himself out.

Duckett, who was trying to guide the ball with a cut shot has instead chopped the ball onto his stumps.

He departs for 42 with Michael Neser getting his first wicket for the innings.

And it was certainly a much deserved one in the eyes of Damien Fleming.

Fleming: "(Neser) deserved that wicket."

1:18 - England enters double digits

England 1/84 - Duckett 41, Bethell 30

With a single from Jacob Bethell, the visitors are now 99 runs away from taking the lead once again.

It's been a good partnership between Duckett and the 22-year-old.

1:13 - The second session is underway

1:12 - Katich on Green's dropped catch

England 1/80 - Duckett 40, Bethell 28

During the Lunch break, Simon Katich gave his thoughts about Cam Green's dropped catch.

Katich: "You can't fault him for going for it."

"I think the only fault with it all, I think, is their distancing."

"And not only the depth, because Steve Smith, who is at a sort of wide-ish first slip...he's slightly deeper but not by much."

"And when Green, who's got a long reach, is maybe at third slip, maybe fourth because of how wide Smith is."

"Maybe (he) needs to be a bit wider or a bit closer to prevent that from happening."

12:35 - Lunch

England 1/80 - Duckett 40, Bethell 28

England survive a late scare to Ben Duckett and the first over wicket of Zak Crawley to sit at 1/80 at Lunch.

Duckett approaches his first 50 of the series after being dropped on 38 by Cam Green.

12:26pm - Duckett survives dropped catch

England 1/76 - Duckett 38, Bethell 27

Ben Duckett has survived an almighty scare three minutes before lunch, dropped on 38.

Michael Neser collected a big outside edge, flying to almost exactly where Steve Smith was positioned at second slip.

But Cam Green leapt to his right, dropping the catch that would have almost certainly been taken by Smith.

12:12pm - Duckett-Bethell bring up 50-run partnership

England 1/61 - Duckett 32, Bethell 22

Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell have brought up a 50-run partnership.

The two batters have survived a pitch with extraordinary bounce to rebuild England's innings after Zak Crawley was dismissed first over.

11:51am - Drinks break

England 1/34 - Duckett 17, Bethell 12

We've taken the drinks break and English currently trail by 149.

Mitchell Starc comes back into the attack, having taken the wicket of Crawley in the first over.

11:08am - Starc gets Crawley!

England 1/4 - Duckett 3, Bethell 0

Mitch Starc has caught Zak Crawley on his crease after the English opener failed to play a shot.

It's another first over wicket for Mitch Starc against Zak Crawley.

Crawley departs for a two-ball duck and England's chase starts in the worst possible way.

Broad: "It was never there to leave. Zak Crawley will be walking off grateful he won't have to face Mitchell Starc for a while!"

11:02am - Could this be the final innings?

As England walk out for their final batting innings of the Ashes, Gerard Whateley has wondered if this could be the final innings of the series.

Chasing 183, England will need to put up at least 350 runs to have a lead of 167 on the final day.

As Gerard Whateley described, will this be England's "heroic last stand or departure lounge batting?"

10:53am - Australia all OUT for 567

Will Jacks gets the wicket of Scott Boland for a golden duck, and Australia is all out for 567.

The Aussies have a lead of 183 as England prepare to bat and try build a lead.

Webster remains on 71*.

10:48am - Starc OUT!

Australia 9/564 - Webster 68, Boland 0

Josh Tongue has knocked Mitch Starc over for 5, bringing Scott Boland out to the crease.

Australia has a lead of 180 as they go to the drinks break.

10:43am - Travis Head tells SEN if he wants to continue opening

Travis Head has said he is keen to continue opening the batting after the Ashes after a highly successful series at the top.

Head passed 600 runs for the series on Day 3, scoring 163 runs from 166 balls before being dismissed.

It was Head's third century, all from the top of the order, and with the retirement of Usman Khawaja and uncertainty around Jake Weatherald's future, the South Australian could have established himself as Australia's new opening batter.

"I've enjoyed the challenge," Head told SEN Cricket.

"If that is the case moving forward, I'd be more than happy to do it.

"If you were picking the team tomorrow, I'd be opening the batting but we've got 7-8 months to worry about that."

Australia's next series is two Tests against Bangladesh in August and will be played in Darwin and Mackay.

10:24am - Smith OUT

Australia 8/544 - Webster 59, Starc 0

Steve Smith has been dismissed for 138, falling short of his SCG 150.

Josh Tongue replaced Ben Stokes in the attack and takes the wicket of Steve Smith in his first over.

Mitchell Starc comes to the crease.

10:18am - Webster-Smith bring up 100-run partnership

Australia 7/520 - Smith 137, Webster 56

Steve Smith and Beau Webster have brought up the 100-run partnership early on Day 4 as they look to continue Australia's lead.

Webster reached his half-century while Smith is closing in on 150.

Whateley: "It seems like every run is a milestone right now!"

10:13am - Stokes injured in bowling

Ben Stokes has pulled up with what appears to be a groin injury on the fourth ball of his second over to start Day 4.

The English captain has left the ground immediately for treatment.

Stokes has been crucial to the English bowling attack, with two wickets this innings.

Whateley: "The toll has broken the England captain which is quite the metaphor!"

Jacob Bethell finishes the over.

10:10am - Webster reaches 50!

Just like he did on Test debut in 2024, Beau Webster has brought up 50 at the SCG.

In his first appearance of the Ashes, Webster has put on just under a 100-run partnership with Steve Smith, steadying the attack against the English bowling.

Webster reaches 50 off 64 deliveries and it is his 5th half-century.

10:00am - Day Four begins

Steve Smith is on strike facing Ben Stokes.

He starts on 129* off 206 balls.

9:51am - Katich: England have been "totally dismantled" this Ashes

Simon Katich believes England's young players were "set up to fail" in the 2025-26 Ashes as England were "totally dismantled" by Australia.

England have struggled across the board this Ashes, particularly in their bowling.

A lack of preparation has been a key criticism of England's campaign so far, with young touring players not given opportunities to stay match fit throughout the series.

It's a detail that Katich believes has contributed to England's demise this summer.

"It's no surprise to see this happen because the game plan is a simple game plan, but you've still got to execute it," Katich said on SEN Cricket.

"But you can execute it far easier against an opponent like this that was underprepared, don't have the miles in the legs, and are young and inexperienced without a frontline spinner.

"This is what happens when you don't pick a frontline spinner who can do a lot of the hard work in hot conditions in Australia. You then burn your quicks through repeat spell, repeat spell, repeat spell, and you get what you get at the end of the day.

"They haven't thought things through, poorly planned, and you reap what you sow in this game.

"There's not much that they can sell at the moment because they've made some poor decisions, and they don't have the cattle to be able to make Australia work harder for this victory.

"Travis Head treated Matthew Potts like he was a clubby and that's what he served up.

"Travis Head probably gets more of a challenge making runs for Tea Tree Gully in South Australia.

"This is not having a crack at Matthew Potts. They've been set up to fail, their young guys, him, Bashir, even Bethell to a lesser extent.

"You don't play tour matches; you don't have anything during the tour. How are they expected to come out and play under pressure against what is not our best team... but it's still a very good test team with highly experienced players.

"They've been absolutely dismantled."

9:32 - The state of play

Australia 7/518 - Smith 129, Webster 42

Australia resume batting on Day 4 at 7/518 with Steve Smith and Beau Webster still at the crease.

Australia went to stumps yesterday with a lead of 134 and will be looking to build on that rapidly today.

Webster is closing in on a half-century, while 150 plus is on the cards for Smith.

England's bowling attack will be hoping a good night's sleep has rejuvenated them after they struggled on Day 3, especially Matthew Potts who sits at 0/141 for his 25 overs.

With Mitch Starc and Scott Boland yet to come, Australia will need to balance maximising their lead and giving themselves enough time to bowl England out.