Fifth Ashes Test, Sydney Cricket Ground (day five of five)
England 384: Root 160; Neser 4-60 & 342: Bethell 154; Webster 3-64, Starc 3-72
Australia 567: Head 163, Smith 138; Tongue 3-97 & 161-5: Labuschagne 37, Tongue 3-42
Australia won by five wickets, won the series 4-1
Australia clinch Ashes after tense final-day chase
Australia completed a 4–1 Ashes series victory by winning the fifth Test in Sydney by five wickets, but the outcome was far from straightforward. Chasing a target of 160, the hosts appeared to be cruising before the final day took a tense turn.
From a strong position, Australia suddenly slipped to 121–5, losing Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne in quick succession after lunch. A mix-up led to Labuschagne’s run-out, Smith was bowled by a superb delivery from Will Jacks, and Khawaja, in his final Test innings, departed after edging onto his stumps. The collapse created a genuinely nervous finale rather than a calm procession to victory.
It was only when Alex Carey and Cameron Green came together that Australia steadied. Carey finished unbeaten on 16 and struck the winning runs through extra cover, sealing the match and the series.
Bethell’s brilliance and Starc’s dominance
For England, the shining light was Jacob Bethell’s magnificent 154, a coming-of-age innings that made the final Test competitive and hinted at a promising future. His fluent stroke-play and resilience under pressure provided England’s standout moment of the tour.
Australia’s attack was led by Mitchell Starc, whose haul of 31 wickets in the series underlined his decisive impact. His pace and new-ball spells repeatedly broke England’s resistance and defined the rhythm of the contest.
Key turning points
Several moments shaped the final day:
- Will Jacks bowled Steve Smith through the gate with a sharply turning delivery
- Labuschagne’s run-out for 37 injected jeopardy into Australia’s chase
- Josh Tongue continued his impressive rise with penetrating spells
- a controversial Snicko moment allowed Jake Weatherald to survive an early edge appeal
- Usman Khawaja performed a sajdah on the field after his final Test innings, drawing an emotional ovation
Each episode contributed to a match that swung between control and anxiety.
Captains’ reflections
Ben Stokes acknowledged England’s inconsistency, stressing that the side too often played “3/10 cricket”, particularly in decisive moments. His comments pointed to the need for recalibration and more disciplined execution.
Steve Smith highlighted Australia’s collective effort, emphasising that “everyone did their job” at key junctures across the series, even during the nervy finale in Sydney.
England left to reflect, Australia look ahead
England’s tour will be remembered for missed chances, injuries and dropped catches, alongside fleeting highs such as Bethell’s century and Tongue’s emergence. Australia, meanwhile, combined depth, resilience and match awareness to retain control of the urn.
The decisive verdict is clear: despite a tense, nervous finish in Sydney, Australia proved stronger across the series, closing out the Ashes 4–1 and reinforcing their dominance on home soil.
