The final day of the Ashes at the Sydney Cricket Ground got off to a dramatic start, with the Barmy Army’s chants echoing.
England resumed their second innings at 8-302, leading Australia by 124 runs, with young classman, Jacob Bethell, unbeaten from the last day’s innings on 142 runs.
Once the English batters were taken down by a pacey Australian bowling attack, led by Mitchell Starc and Boland, they saw Starc’s swing of the ball, keeping alert and on their feet.
Bethell reached 150 with the new ball in okay, a significant milestone after his maiden century. Starc eventually claimed him for 154, edging safely into Carey’s gloves for his 30th wicket of the series. England were all out for 342, setting Australia a target of 160 to secure a 4-1 series win. Travis Head and Jack Weatherald’s partnership quickly reduced the target, but tension lingered: Stokes lost a DRS review by the narrowest margin, leaving Weatherald reprieved. Head took risks, attempting to clear mid-on, only to be caught by Bryn Carse.
By lunch, Australia were 2-71, needing 89 more runs, with England having bowled 14 overs in the session. The chants of the Barmy Army faded.
Forever will be remembered
Post-Lunch
Off-spinner Will Jacks produced a superb delivery that passed between bat and pad to bowl Steve Smith, bringing his innings to an abrupt end and briefly shifting momentum.
As Usman Khawaja made his way to the crease, the SCG rose in a prolonged standing ovation. England’s players formed a guard of honour, acknowledging Khawaja’s final appearance in Australian Test cricket.
Khawaja’s Test career, beginning in 2011, spans 88 matches and includes more than 6,000 runs and 16 centuries. The respect shown reflected both longevity and contribution.
On just his second ball, Khawaja was bowled by Will Jacks, beaten through the gate as the ball struck the stumps.
The applause returned; his final Test innings ended without a run. Out on his second ball, no runs.
At that point, Australia were 3-92 in the 18.5th over, still requiring 66 runs to win the match and secure the Ashes series 4-1.
England pressed again soon after. Marnus Labuschagne was run out after falling short of his drive, undone by sharp fielding.
Joe Root completed the over with the wicket, sparking loud celebrations from the Barmy Army as Labuschagne walked off. England now required five wickets, while Australia needed 37 runs.
Despite the breakthroughs, England’s inability to sustain pressure — a theme across the series — remained evident. Australia steadied through Cam Green and Alex Carey, whose presence shifted the balance back toward the hosts.
With the target reduced to 22 and then 17, England persisted with spin after pace failed to produce results. Ben Stokes rotated his options in search of another opening, but the runs continued to come.
As Australia closed in, the SCG commentary urged calm, though tension lingered briefly with England still chasing wickets against a diminishing total.
Australia eventually completed the chase to win the final Test and claim the Ashes series 4-1.
Australian players pose for a selfie before the trophy ceremony at the end of the fifth Ashes cricket Test between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 8, 2026.
The Labour Court in Johannesburg has dismissed a review application filed by Europcar South Africa against the reinstatement of an employee wrongfully dismissed for using a company vehicle without permission.The ruling came in support of Pumeza Glenn Poswa who had worked for Europcar since 2010 and achieved a promotion to supervisor.Europcar, a division of Motors Group Limited, operates a fleet of revenue-generating vehicles essential to its rental business.Poswa was occasionally […]
