Australia have wrapped up a dominant Ashes campaign with a hard-fought five-wicket victory on the final day of the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground, sealing the series 4-1. The win was fittingly sealed by wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who drove a boundary through extra cover to spark celebrations with Cameron Green and complete the chase of 160 runs.
A Chase with Late Jitters
The pursuit of 160 was not without its nervous moments for the hosts. After a brisk start, Travis Head's magnificent series, which yielded 629 runs at an average of 69.2, ended on 29. England's Josh Tongue then removed Jake Weatherald for 34 just before lunch. The drama intensified after the break when Steve Smith was bowled by Will Jacks for 12, and Usman Khawaja, in his final Test, was dismissed for six.
The tension peaked when Marnus Labuschagne was run out by Matthew Potts for 37, leaving Australia at 121 for five and still needing 39 runs to win. However, the composed pairing of Alex Carey and Cameron Green steadied the ship, guiding Australia home without further loss shortly after 2.30pm local time.
England's Tour of Missed Opportunities
The result encapsulated a chastening tour for England, who saw the Ashes relinquished in a record-equalling 11 days and managed only a solitary victory in Melbourne. While Jacob Bethell's first-innings 154 provided a bright spark, the visitors were left to ponder a familiar tale of insufficient runs, dropped catches, and inconsistent bowling.
In contrast, Australia's key players delivered consistently. Mitchell Starc finished with 31 wickets in the series, the most by an Australian seamer in an Ashes series since Mitchell Johnson in 2013/14, while Scott Boland's accuracy and Travis Head's explosive batting were defining features of their superiority.
Controversy and Crowds
The final day was not without controversy. England were aggrieved when a review for a caught behind against Brydon Carse was turned down by third umpire Kumar Dharmasena, despite a faint murmur on the Snicko technology, echoing a similar decision in Perth. Nonetheless, the match was played in front of a historic SCG crowd, with the total attendance surpassing 200,000 for the first time at the venue.
England had begun the day on 302 for eight, adding just 40 runs before Starc cleaned up the tail with the second new ball, highlighting the gulf between the sides when it mattered most. The series concludes with Australia's hold on the Ashes urn firmly intact and England facing a period of introspection.
