Australia has wrapped up a commanding Ashes series victory on home soil, defeating England by five wickets in the fifth and final Test at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The win sealed a dominant 4-1 series triumph for the hosts, overcoming a spirited English fightback on a challenging final-day pitch.
A Tense Final Day Chase
Set a modest target of 160 runs for victory, Australia's chase began briskly thanks to a solid 62-run opening partnership. However, England's bowlers, led by Josh Tongue, fought back hard, taking wickets at regular intervals to create tension. The hosts found themselves in a tricky spot after lunch as Steve Smith was bowled by Will Jacks and Usman Khawaja chopped one onto his stumps.
The dismissal of Marnus Labuschagne, run out for 37, briefly reignited England's hopes of a dramatic turnaround. But the experienced pair of Alex Carey and Cameron Green held their nerve. Their composed, unbroken 40-run partnership guided Australia home, with Carey striking the winning boundary in the 32nd over to seal the contest and the series.
England's Resistance Led by Bethell
Earlier in the day, England had resumed their second innings on 302 for 8. Young batter Jacob Bethell anchored the innings superbly, reaching a well-deserved 150 runs before being dismissed by Mitchell Starc. The morning session was punctuated by several DRS reviews, with Bethell successfully overturning an LBW decision against Scott Boland.
Starc, who proved to be the series' standout bowler, wrapped up the England innings, finishing with three wickets in the innings and a commanding series haul of 31 wickets. His consistent match-winning performances were a cornerstone of Australia's success throughout the Ashes.
A Commanding Series Triumph Sealed
The final scorecard tells the story of a hard-fought match but a one-sided series. Australia's first-innings total of 567, built on centuries from Travis Head (163) and Steve Smith (138), proved decisive in setting up the victory. England, despite a valiant 160 from Joe Root in their first innings and Bethell's century in the second, could not sustain the pressure across five days.
This comprehensive 4-1 series victory cements Australia's supremacy in Test cricket on home soil and provides a satisfying conclusion to their Ashes campaign. The win at the SCG showcased both their batting depth and the potency of their bowling attack, led by the exceptional Mitchell Starc.
