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That was some eventful opening over. Josh Tongue to operate from the other end.

DRINKS BREAK. A perfect time to get a breather as it was getting a lot heated up. Surely, that caught behind appeal and the review against Jake Weatherald would make it to the headlines. The English players are still not pleased with that decision. They are yet to get their first breakthrough and don't have enough runs to play with. Australia are up and about in the chase as they need only 126 runs. Jacob Bethell is summoned into the attack to exploit those rough patches. He impressed the world with the bat earlier, can he produce a breakthrough for his side? Let's see.

Josh Tongue (3-0-12-0) is back as Carse has been given a breather now.

Out goes Travis Head with 629 runs to his name in this Ashes series, and in walks Marnus Labuschagne at number 3. 20 more minutes to go for Lunch.

Spinner replaces spinner as Will Jacks is brought into the attack for Bethell. 

LUNCH, DAY 5. England, resuming from their overnight score of 302 for 8 with a lead of 119, added a valuable 40 runs this morning to set Australia a target of 160. A crucial partnership blossomed early on as Jacob Bethell placed his faith in Matthew Potts, who batted admirably and didn't disappoint. The pair navigated the early morning session with composure until Mitchell Starc was reintroduced into the attack with the new ball, making the breakthrough by dismissing Bethell for a superb 154. Potts and Tongue cobbled together a little 14-run stand for the final wicket, pushing the target to 160 before Starc claimed his second scalp of the morning to wrap up the innings.

In response to the 160-run target, Australian openers Travis Head and Jake Weatherald strode to the crease with an aggressive intent, sending a clear message that they were looking for an early finish rather than letting the tension linger. Their positive mindset was evident from the outset, as they tore into the English bowling attack, plundering 50-plus runs in just the first 10 overs before perishing. This aggressive approach put the home side in a commanding position, requiring a mere 89 more runs for victory. It was an entertaining and action-packed morning session. 28 overs were bowled, with 111 runs scored, along with 3 wickets to fall. England would be happy that they at least got both the Aussie openers dismissed in a modest run chase. But still, they need eight wickets to pull off an unlikely turnaround from here. 

With the Aussies in a pole position to seal the series with a dominant 4-1 scoreline, the upcoming session could very well be the final session of the Ashes 2025/26. Coming into the afternoon session, Tongue, who has snagged both the Aussie wickets till now, will expect more support from his bowling colleagues to prevent Australia an easy win. Can the tourists make a few more inroads? We shall find out in the post-Lunch session. Play resumes at 2.10 am GMT. Join us then.

... DAY 5, SESSION 2 ...

Welcome back for the post-Lunch session. The umpires and players have punctually made their way to the middle. The English players spread out on the field and take their spots. Steve Smith, the Aussie skipper, joins Marnus Labuschagne at number 4. Josh Tongue will complete his remaining over. Here we go...

Will Jacks (1-0-1-0) to bowl the next over from the Randwick Stand End.

The SCG cheers for Usman Khawaja as he walks in for one last time to bat in the whites. Good gesture from the English players as they give a guard of honor to Uzzie. 

A superb career comes to an end for Usman Khawaja. At a venue where it all started. He gets a huge reception from the SCG crowd. Alex Carey walks in at number 6.

Joe Root is brought into the attack now, replacing Will Jacks.

Out goes Marnus and in walks Cameron Green at number 7.

DRINKS BREAK. Australia are on the verge of a win now, needing 20 runs. But credit to the Englishmen, as they have not allowed the hosts an easy victory. Josh Tongue has troubled the batters and has made them huff and puff for every single run. They slipped from 92/2 to 121/5, but Carey and Green seem to have settled in well, for now, at least. And these two will aim to coast Australia safely to the winning mark. 

Victory in Sydney seals the 2025/26 Ashes 4-1 in Australia’s favour. England have largely been outplayed throughout the series, and the scoreline is a fair reflection of the gap between the two sides in all departments. They arrived on day five with their noses in front, but England made sure that every run Australia scored in the chase was hard-earned. It was a tough tour for England overall in every aspect. However, they had their moments and time and again, they put themselves in strong positions, but their habit of faltering at the crucial moments ultimately proved decisive. The England players turn to applaud the Barmy Army, whose unwavering support has been the one constant bright spot of the series for the tourists.

And now, let's hear it from the man of the moment. Baggy Green cap number 419, USMAN KHAWAJA, is with Mark Howard to have a chat. He shares how much the Ashes victory means to him and his profound emotion surrounding his retirement, recalling a conversation with his wife that morning where she simply told him to go out and enjoy. He admits that the prospect of wearing the 'baggy green' for the last time made it difficult to concentrate and manage his emotions this morning, finding it a truly tough moment. He attributes significant credit for his career to his wife's unwavering support through all situations, and also expresses gratitude to everyone who has gifted him such lovely moments throughout his journey. Uzzy concludes by stating his immense gratitude for having lived this experience, and also expresses his intentions to enjoy the next phase of his life with his family. Lastly, he thanks the fans, urging them to continue supporting Test cricket, which he calls the most beautiful format of the game.

ALEX CAREY is up for a chat with Mark Howard now. He begins by saying it was a great series and a great game that went down to the wire. Adds that he owes Marnus a beer or two after that run out. Adds that Khawaja is going to be missed a lot in the dressing room and congratulates him on his fabulous career, and that it is a fitting way for him to sign off. Mentions that they have been lucky to receive such immense support from the crowd at every venue they have played. 

Sydney provided a welcome contrast with a superb batting surface after the much-criticised two-day contest at the MCG. The first two days here were shaped by three centurions across the two sides. Joe Root set the tone with a commanding 160 in the first innings, supported by Harry Brook’s 84 as England piled up a formidable 384. Australia then responded in kind, centuries from Travis Head and skipper Steve Smith, and a sensational 71 from Beau Webster, powering them to a commanding first innings lead of 183 runs.

England’s second innings started on a shaky note, slipping to 117 for 3 as the opening pair once again failed to provide the expected platform. Even Root was unable to make a telling impact this time. Then came the 22-year-old Jacob Bethell, producing a knock of remarkable maturity that dominated the fourth day’s headlines. He embarked on a marathon 154, facing more balls than anyone else in the match, and almost single-handedly hauled England out of serious trouble. And with the lower order contributing vital runs, England did manage to trim down the deficit and pile on a 159-run lead over Australia, come the fifth day. 

A target of 160 looked modest for Australia, and although they eventually chased it down, England refused to go down quietly. Josh Tongue, as he had done throughout the series, consistently troubled the batters and ripped through the Australian top order with impressive control, but he lacked sustained support from the other end. The ball gripped, bounced and turned prodigiously for the spinners, who did ask some tough questions to the batters, but, in the end, the target simply proved a bit too lean for this Australian side.

This Ashes series hasn't just been a contest between Australia and England. It's been a clinic in contrasting philosophies, a collision between meticulous professionalism and swashbuckling ambition that forgot to pack the essentials. Australia's batting hasn't always been spectacular, but it's been relentlessly productive. Five 50-plus partnerships, along with a couple of centurion stands in a single innings represents more than just good form. It's a statement about depth, resilience, and the kind of collective responsibility that turns good teams into great ones. England's batting, by contrast, resembled a house of cards in a wind tunnel. Ben Duckett's nine consecutive failures to pass 34 before this innings tells the story of a top order in crisis. And then there's Zak Crawley, who averages just above 30 across 100-plus innings batting in the top three, proving just how fragile their top order has been.

Travis Head emerged as Australia’s standout performer of the series, leading the run charts with 629 runs in this Ashes. He dragged them out of a precarious position in the Perth Test and drove an improbable victory well inside two days. He then delivered with the bat again in the final Test, extinguishing England’s hopes of narrowing the series to 3-2. Australia also had to cope without several key personnel, including Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in the bowling department. Cummins featured only in the fourth Test and took no further part thereafter, yet despite missing senior figures for much of the series, Australia continued to operate at near full strength thanks to Mitchell Starc stepping from the front in all five Tests, and ending as the leading wicket-taker with 31 scalps to his name, with no one near him. 

Joe Root finished the series with exactly 400 runs, including two centuries that ended his personal Australian drought. On paper, that sounds respectable. In reality, it tells a story of feast or famine. Beyond those two tons, he managed just one other score past 20, a modest 39 in Adelaide. Whereas Steve Smith is now the only batter behind Don Bradman, as the batter with the second most centuries in the Ashes, reading 13 to be exact. It is the kind of achievement that transcends statistics. His appetite to score remains undimmed, his focus unbreakable.

... THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ...

TRAVIS HEAD has been adjudged as the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his outstanding century. Head reflects on his performance and expresses that the achievement feels special. He mentions that it was tough to bat at the venue but was pleased to handle the hard ball, open the batting, and contribute significantly to the win. Head cherishes every century but held the ones from the beginning of the series in higher regard as they were crucial in securing the Ashes early on. He expresses personal satisfaction in finishing the series strongly with runs, emphasizing the need not to take the foot off and acknowledging the amazing week the team has experienced. When asked about potential post-match celebrations, Head defers to one of the Sydney boys or suggests captain Pat Cummins should organize something, adding that Starc was ready for a break after five consecutive Test matches and that Smith would do his own thing.

Australia's MITCHELL STARC is the PLAYER OF THE SERIES for being the leading wicket-taker in this Ashes, bagging 31 wickets across 5 Tests. He also wins the Compton-Miller Medal. He starts by mentioning that his body is holding on well together. Adds that it has been a great group to be a part of. Starc admits he is feeling a little tired, noting with a smile that both he and Scott Boland are on the older side of the squad, along with Michael Neser. He says the physical toll was evident, especially towards the end, but credits the collective effort of not just the playing XI, but the entire squad and support staff. According to Starc, it was a demanding series, but one that proved both fruitful and thoroughly enjoyable. On his contributions with the bat, Starc reflects that he struck the ball better earlier in the series than towards the end, adding that there is no greater motivation for a bowler than ensuring he does not have to bowl again. He highlights the importance of building partnerships, singling out his stand with Boland in the Brisbane Test as a key moment that helped Australia get the chance to bowl with the pink ball under lights. While he is pleased to have chipped in with the bat, Starc is quick to acknowledge the major contributions from the top order, particularly Travis Head, who did the bulk of the scoring for Australia.

England captain BEN STOKES describes the match as a great game to be involved in, noting that five-day Test matches always generate high drama. He admits that the outcome might have been different if England had managed a lead of around 200 runs and credits Australia as a great team that plays incredible cricket with outstanding bowlers. Acknowledging that his team could have played better, Stokes looks ahead to the long break before the next series as an opportunity for reflection and to put the wrongs to right. He also praises the incredible efforts of Bethell, who seized his opportunity in the final match with a brilliant batting performance. On the controversy surrounding Jake Weatherald’s caught-behind appeal, Stokes stresses that technology should not dominate the conversation. He expresses sympathy for the on-field umpires, noting that the third umpire is responsible for the final decision. Also appreciates Josh Tongue, who bowled really well, highlighting the good talent emerging in the squad. In the end, he thanks the Barmy Army's support, saying that their backing means a lot to the team.

The victorious captain of Australia, STEVE SMITH, is all smiles and walks for a chat. Expresses his happiness by saying that it was nice to finish on a high note and that they know the importance of every Test match win in terms of the WTC qualifications. Calls it a good game of Test cricket and says that it was a well-earned victory. Adds that the guys stood up well in different scenarios, and everyone did their job. Points that they have an experienced side and that they have been playing good cricket for the last 5 years or so. Also reflects that they have been a part of two WTC finals as well. Says that they know how to play on these surfaces and they did it again. On Khawaja, Smith says he had a fantastic career and that he feels great to have played alongside him. He then highlights that Usman played his first Test in Sydney 15 years back, and since then, he has been a great player and a human being as well. Ends by acknowledging the way England gave them a tough fight.

And now then, a moment to savour for the hosts. Captain Steve Smith receives the crystal Ashes urn from Steve Waugh, before being joined by Pat Cummins and the rest of the Australian squad. They now gather for the photographs with broad smiles as they celebrate the triumph. Both teams will now enjoy a long, deserved break from red-ball cricket before their next respective assignments. And with that, the curtains fall on The Ashes 2025/26. Australia win emphatically by 4-1, because they demonstrated the capabilities of winning the crucial moments, despite being pushed to the wall at times. Bazball arrived with trumpet fanfare and delivered some genuinely entertaining and thrilling cricket. But their wait for beating Australia in Australia still continues. We hope you all enjoyed our coverage throughout the series. It is now time to bid adieu, only to meet the next time. Cheers!

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