Australia vs England 5th Test Day 5 Highlights: Australia Beat England By 5 Wickets, End Series 4-1

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

... THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ...

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

FOUR! ALEX CAREY HITS THE WINNING RUNS! Tossed up, around off, Alex Carey strides to the pitch of the delivery and drives this one away to the right of the extra cover fielder for a boundary to wrap the game and the series. Australia have won this game by 5 wickets and have clinched the Ashes series 4-1.

Floated into the batter. Alex Carey defends this off his front foot.

FOUR MORE! Down to a hit now. Short, wide on off, Cameron Green hops up on his toes and cuts this square, away to the right of the backward point fielder for four more runs.

Carse comes around the stumps, darts a short one, around middle and off, Cameron Green ducks down but takes one on the left shoulder for the side.

FOUR! Just 7 more needed after this boundary. Back of a length around off, Cameron Green rides the bounce of this one, hops onto his back foot and punches this behind square on off for a boundary. 150 UP FOR AUSTRALIA!