Sydney, January 8, 2026: Australia wrapped up a dominant 4–1 Ashes series victory after defeating England by five wickets in the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, showing composure under pressure on a difficult final-day pitch.
Chasing a target of 160 runs, Australia crossed the line at 161/5 in 31.2 overs, ending England’s late resistance and confirming their control over the series.
England Show Grit in Second Innings, Bethell Stands Tall
England began Day 5 on 302/8 and fought hard to stretch the match.
Jacob Bethell played the innings of his career, scoring a superb 154 runs off 265 balls, showing patience and discipline against Australia’s attack.
However, support from the other end was limited. Mitchell Starc struck twice to clean up the tail, finishing the series with an outstanding 31 wickets, underlining his impact throughout the Ashes.
England 2nd Innings – Key Performers
| Player | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Jacob Bethell | 154 | 265 |
| Harry Brook | 42 | 48 |
| Ben Duckett | 42 | 55 |
England 2nd Innings Total: 342 all out (88.2 overs)
Australia’s First Innings Dominance Sets the Match Up
Earlier in the Test, Australia had taken full control with a massive 567-run first innings, powered by big hundreds from their senior batters.
Travis Head played a commanding knock of 163, while captain Steve Smith once again led from the front with a composed 138, anchoring the innings and putting England under pressure.
Australia 1st Innings – Top Scorers
| Player | Runs | Balls |
|---|---|---|
| Travis Head | 163 | 166 |
| Steven Smith | 138 | 220 |
| Beau Webster | 71* | 87 |
Australia 1st Innings Total: 567 all out (133.5 overs)
Australia began the chase positively, with Travis Head and Jake Weatherald adding 62 runs for the opening stand. The intent was clear — score quickly and avoid being dragged into a long battle.
England hit back before lunch as Josh Tongue removed both openers and later picked up more wickets to finish with 3/42, keeping England interested despite the low target.
Read Also: Steve Smith Hits Gritty Century at SCG as Australia
Australia 2nd Innings – Scorecard Snapshot
| Batter | Runs |
|---|---|
| Jake Weatherald | 34 |
| Travis Head | 29 |
| Marnus Labuschagne | 37 |
| Alex Carey | 16* |
| Cameron Green | 22* |
Target: 160
Result: Australia 161/5 (31.2 overs)
Carey and Green Hold Nerve to Finish It Off
With wickets falling and the pitch offering uneven bounce, the pressure briefly shifted.
Run-outs, close calls, and nervous moments gave England a sniff of a miracle comeback.
But Alex Carey and Cameron Green remained calm, adding an unbeaten 40-run partnership. Carey finally sealed the match with a crisp boundary in the 32nd over, triggering celebrations in Sydney.
Match Result & Series Outcome
5th Test Result
- Australia won by 5 wickets
Ashes Series Result
- Australia won the Ashes 2025–26 by 4–1
Australia’s calm chase at the SCG summed up the series — disciplined, confident, and in control. England competed bravely, especially in the final Test, but Australia were simply the better side across conditions and situations, sealing another memorable Ashes triumph.
