Australia Seal Five-Wicket Sydney Victory to Close Ashes Series 4–1
The Final Act of the 2025–26 Ashes
The fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground brought the 2025–26 Ashes to a close with Australia completing a measured chase of 160 to win by five wickets. Having already secured the urn earlier in the series, the hosts were keen to finish strongly and did exactly that, reaching 161 for 5 on the final afternoon.
England began day five on 302 for 8 in their second innings, still trailing by 119, with Jacob Bethell and Matthew Potts attempting to extend the contest. Bethell, who had batted through most of the fourth day, continued in the same vein, reaching a career-defining 154 from 265 balls. His resistance lifted England to 342, setting Australia a target that looked straightforward on paper but required careful handling on a surface that had offered bounce and occasional turn throughout the match.
Early wickets ensured there were still nervous moments. Travis Head and Jake Weatherald both departed before lunch, and further strikes left Australia at 121 for 5. However, Alex Carey and Cameron Green negotiated the final phase with calm assurance, taking the hosts past the line and sealing a 4–1 series victory.
Selection Calls That Shaped the Contest
Australia’s selections once again underlined the depth that has characterised their campaign. The experienced pace trio of Mitchell Starc, Scott Boland and Michael Neser carried the main workload, while Beau Webster’s inclusion as a lower-order batter provided vital insurance. That balance was evident in the first innings, where Australia were able to push beyond England’s total and bat the visitors out of the game.
England’s decision to persist with a young pace attack of Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue and Matthew Potts gave them energy but not always the control required on a flat pitch. Jacob Bethell’s selection, however, proved a major positive. After a modest return in the first innings, he emerged as England’s outstanding batter in the second, holding the innings together when wickets were falling at the other end.
Head and Smith Set the Tone
The defining passage of the match came on the third day, when Travis Head produced one of the standout innings of the series. His 163 from 166 balls transformed Australia’s position. Coming in with the score on 57 for 1, he attacked England’s bowlers with characteristic intent, finding the boundary 24 times and scoring at close to a run a ball.
Steven Smith played the perfect foil. His 138 from 220 balls was a study in patience, absorbing pressure before picking his moments to score. Together, they dismantled England’s plans, taking Australia from a position of mild advantage to one of complete control.
Even after Head’s dismissal, Beau Webster’s unbeaten 71 ensured the momentum was not lost. Australia’s eventual total of 567 dwarfed England’s first-innings 384 and left the visitors chasing the game.
England’s Fightback Led by Bethell
If Australia’s dominance defined the middle of the Test, England’s resolve in the second innings was led almost single-handedly by Jacob Bethell. Walking in with his side already behind, he compiled a composed 154 over more than six hours at the crease.
While Joe Root fell cheaply and Harry Brook was dismissed just as he was accelerating, Bethell continued to occupy the crease, adding valuable runs with Jamie Smith and later with the tail. His hundred kept England’s hopes alive deep into the fourth day and ensured Australia were required to bat again.
However, the lack of substantial partnerships around him meant England could only set a target of 160. It was enough to create a brief sense of intrigue, but not enough to genuinely swing the contest back in their favour.
The Final Chase: Early Wickets, Calm Finish
England threw everything at Australia in the fourth innings, aware that early breakthroughs were their only realistic route back into the match. Josh Tongue led the charge, removing Travis Head and Jake Weatherald, while further pressure accounted for Usman Khawaja and Steven Smith. At 119 for 4 and later 121 for 5, the home crowd felt a flicker of anxiety.
Yet Alex Carey and Cameron Green responded with maturity. Carey, who had enjoyed a productive series, was particularly assured, picking off singles and punishing any loose deliveries. Green, under scrutiny earlier in the series, played with restraint, ensuring the chase did not unravel.
Their unbroken stand carried Australia to the target, with Carey striking the winning boundary through the covers to seal victory and spark celebrations around the SCG.
Ashes Themes in Microcosm
This Test encapsulated the broader narrative of the 2025–26 Ashes. Australia’s ability to build big first-innings totals through decisive middle-order batting was again evident, while their bowlers struck at key moments to keep England under pressure.
For England, there were individual bright spots – Joe Root’s 160 in the first innings and Bethell’s heroic 154 in the second – but these were not enough to offset the damage done by conceding 567 in reply. Too often, promising positions were followed by long, unbroken partnerships for the hosts.
A Series Signed Off in Style
By the time Alex Carey’s final drive sped past cover, the outcome of the series was beyond doubt. Australia’s five-wicket win in Sydney completed a 4–1 triumph and underlined the authority with which they have held the urn.
Travis Head was rightly named Player of the Match for his pivotal 163, while Mitchell Starc’s 31 wickets across the series earned him the Player of the Series award. Together, they symbolised an Australian side that consistently delivered when it mattered.
England depart Sydney with much to ponder. There were moments of resilience and quality, but also periods where control slipped away. As the teams shake hands at the SCG, the final Test stands as a fitting conclusion to a series dominated by Australia’s depth, discipline and decisive performances.