Australia’s cricket team completed a five-wicket win over England’s cricket team in the fifth and final Ashes Test, sealing a 4–1 series triumph at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday.
Chasing a modest target of 160, Australia faced brief pressure but reached the total before tea on the final day. Alex Carey struck the winning runs with a crisp cover drive, finishing unbeaten on 16 alongside Cameron Green, who ended on 22 not out.
England showed resilience despite the odds. Seamer Josh Tongue led the fightback with figures of 3 for 42, creating a few nervous moments during the chase. However, the absence of injured captain Ben Stokes left England short of firepower on a good batting surface.
Australia’s openers made a steady start and cut the target below 100 before Travis Head fell for 29, mistiming a shot to midwicket off Tongue. Jake Weatherald followed for 34, also caught off the same bowler, as Australia reached lunch still needing 89 runs.
THANK YOU, NEXT ⏭️
Australia finish their dominant #Ashes campaign with a five-wicket win in Sydney, and it's hard to love this Test group any more! 💚💛
FIFTH TEST, DAY 5 WRAP 🏆 https://t.co/14zofHTuHZ pic.twitter.com/UDb4zlnZZV
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 8, 2026England briefly lifted their intensity after the break. Usman Khawaja was dismissed cheaply, while Marnus Labuschagne failed to capitalise on an earlier reprieve and ran himself out for 37 with 39 runs still required.
Carey and Green then steadied the innings. A late mix-up nearly cost Australia another wicket, but both batters recovered to complete the chase and confirm the series win.
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Earlier, England resumed their second innings on 302 for 8. Mitchell Starc struck early, dismissing Jacob Bethell for a superb 154. Bethell’s maiden Test century spared England an innings defeat and offered a rare highlight in a tough series.
Starc later removed Tongue to end the innings on 342. The left-arm fast bowler finished the match with 3 for 72 and closed the series with 31 wickets, underlining Australia’s dominance throughout the Ashes.
