Sydney, Australia – Australia retained the Ashes after defeating England by five wickets in a tense final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, securing a 4-1 series victory in the 2026 home series. The victory capped an 11-day Ashes campaign dominated by Australia, with wins in Perth, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Sydney.

The final day of the fifth Test saw Australia safely chase a target of 160 runs before tea, despite a few nervy moments, with Alex Carey sealing the win with a boundary through the covers alongside Cameron Green.

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Key Performances: Smith, Head, and Starc Shine

Australia’s stand-in captain, Steve Smith, praised his team’s collective effort, emphasizing both individual brilliance and teamwork. “We’ve had some incredible individual performances but … everyone else just stood up at different moments,” Smith said, highlighting the importance of rising to the “big moments” throughout the series.

Travis Head continued his stellar run in the series, scoring his third century to anchor Australia’s first-innings total of 567. England seamer Josh Tongue led a spirited rearguard effort with 3-42 but could not prevent the Australians from reaching the target.

Mitchell Starc was pivotal in the final innings, dismissing Bethell and Tongue to limit England to 342, finishing the series with 31 wickets and earning Player of the Series honors.

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Emotional Farewell for Usman Khawaja

The Test also marked the farewell of Usman Khawaja, Australia’s first Muslim and Pakistan-born cricketer. Making his debut 15 years ago at the same venue, Khawaja played a final innings of seven balls, scoring six runs before being bowled by Will Jacks.

Khawaja’s exit was met with a special gesture from the England players, who formed a guard of honor. The batter took a moment to bow in prayer on the field, reflecting on a 15-year career that included over 6,000 Test runs and breaking barriers for Asian players in Australian cricket.

“I was trying to act cool, but the whole Test match I found it really hard to control my emotions,” Khawaja said. “The only thing I wanted was a win … Grateful for the one last final win and to celebrate with my teammates.”

Khawaja’s journey from Islamabad to Australia, overcoming obstacles to become a role model for future generations, was celebrated by teammates and fans alike.

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England’s Fight and Lessons Learned

Despite their loss, England showed resilience, notably through Bethell’s maiden Test century of 154, which prevented a potential innings defeat in Sydney. However, injuries to key players, including captain Ben Stokes, hampered their ability to defend a modest target on a batting-friendly wicket.

Stokes reflected on the series outcome, acknowledging the need for adjustments in strategy:

“We’ve not won the big series that we want to be winning. When a trend is happening on a consistent basis … that’s when you do need to go back and look at the drawing board and make some adjustments.”

England’s lone victory came in the fourth Test at Melbourne, their first Ashes win in Australia since 2011. However, the series overall exposed limitations in the touring side’s execution of the “Bazball” style.

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Final Thoughts: Australia’s Dominance and Ashes Celebration

Australia’s triumph ensures they will hold the Ashes urn for another 18 months, with consistent performances across batting, bowling, and fielding departments. The final Test underscored the team’s depth, with contributions from seasoned stars like Smith, Head, Starc, and emerging talents like Cameron Green and Alex Carey.

The series also offered a fitting farewell for Khawaja, who leaves a legacy as a trailblazer in Australian cricket, inspiring future generations of players from diverse backgrounds.