Australia sealed the 2025/26 Ashes 4-1, powering to a tense five-wicket win in the fifth Test at SCG. Jacob Bethell’s poised maiden Test ton concluded at 154 as England folded for 342, posting a 160-run target. Australia overhauled it by the 31st over despite a mid-innings wobble. Mitchell Starc claimed Player of the Series honours with 31 wickets. Usman Khawaja earned a heartfelt guard of honour in his final Test, capping a triumphant series as the urn remains in Australia.
Day 5 Highlights: Ashes 5th Test, SCG
England Innings Concludes
England resumed on 302/8, leading by 119 runs. Jacob Bethell composed 154, his maiden Test ton and became the second-youngest English player to cross the 150 mark. His innings ended when he edged Starc to Carey in the 88th over. Then the last wicket added 14, before Tongue chipped a dolly to Labuschagne off Starc’s bowling, becoming his 31st wicket of the series. England managed only 40 runs before crumbling to 342 all out, setting Australia a target of 160 to win the match.
Australia’s Nervy Chase
Australia’s chase of 160 at SCG blended flair and tension on Day 5. Head and Weatherald raced to a 50 partnership by the 9th over before Tongue struck: Head holed out for 29 off a short ball (10.3), Weatherald top-edged a bouncer for 34 to Potts’ diving catch (14.4), lunch at 71/2. Jack’s bowled Smith through the gate for 12 (17.5).
In his farewell Test, Usman Khawaja received a guard of honour but chopped Tongue onto stumps for 6 (22.1). Labuschagne’s 37 ended in a run-out mix-up (23.1), slumping to 121/5. Carey (16*) and Green (22*) steadied nerves, with Carey lofting Jacks for four at 31.2 to seal a 5-wicket win.
Ashes 5th Test Final Scorecard
Innings Summary
| Innings | Team | Score | Overs | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Australia | 567 all out | 133.5 | Lead by 183 |
| 1st | England | 384 all out | 97.3 | – |
| 2nd | England | 342 all out | 88.2 | Target 160 |
| 2nd | Australia | 161/5 | 31.2 | Won by 5 wkts |
Top Batting Performers
| Player | Team | Innings | Runs | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joe Root | ENG | 1st | 160 | Anchored 1st inns |
| Jacob Bethell | ENG | 2nd | 154 | Maiden Test 100 |
| Travis Head | AUS | 1st | 153 | POTM, 23×4 |
| Steve Smith | AUS | 1st | 138 | Home ground love |
| Beau Webster | AUS | 1st | 71* | 107-run stand |
Top Bowling Performers
| Player | Team | Innings | Wkts | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Starc | AUS | ENG 2nd | 3 | 72 |
| Josh Tongue | ENG | AUS 2nd | 3 | 42 |
| Beau Webster | AUS | ENG 2nd | 3 | 51 |
| Josh Tongue | ENG | AUS 1st | 5 | – |
Ashes 2025-26 Highlights
Australia dominated the 2025/26 Ashes at home, securing a 4-1 series triumph despite missing Cummins, Hazlewood, and Lyon for chunks. Mitchell Starc’s 31 wickets earned Player of the Series, while Travis Head’s 600+ runs and three tons powered batting. England won only Melbourne but faltered in key moments, with dropped catches (18 vs Australia’s 12) proving costly. Series run-rate hit 4.07, highest in Ashes history
Highlight Moments:
- Perth (1-0): Starc’s 7-72 bundled England for 172; Stokes’ 5-fer gave a brief lead, but Head’s 69-ball ton chased in 2 days.
- Brisbane (2-0): Starc’s pink-ball 6-fer; Root’s first Aussie Test hundred wasted by fielding errors (5 drops).
- Adelaide (3-0): Carey’s counterattacking 100 retained Ashes in 11 days; Archer’s 5-fer in vain.
- Melbourne (3-1): Tongue’s 5-fer skittled Australia for 152; England chased 175 despite green-top chaos, ending 18-Test winless streak Down Under.
- Sydney (4-1): Root 160, Bethell’s maiden 154 (2nd-youngest English 150+); Australia chased 160 despite Tongue’s 3-42 and Khawaja’s farewell.
Ashes 2025-26 Records And Facts
- Highest series run-rate (min. 4 Tests): 4.07 – Ashes 2025/26 in Australia
- Highest run-rate in successful 150+ Ashes chase: 5.13 – Australia, Sydney (target 160); 7.23 Perth (205)
- 300+ runs & 25+ dismissals (wicketkeeper, series): Alex Carey 323 runs, 28 dismissals (3rd highest; Gilchrist 340/26, 333/25)
- Catching efficiency: Australia 85.3% (12 drops); England 75.3% (18 drops)
- England Tests in Australia post-2010/11 win: 20 matches, 1 win (Melbourne 2025), 17 losses, 2 draws
- Steven Smith as Ashes captain: 10 matches, 8 wins, 80% win% (joint-highest with Warwick Armstrong)
- Most wickets: Mitchell Starc 31 @19.93, Player of the Series
- Most runs: Travis Head 629 (3 tons)
- Starc records: Career-best 7/58 Perth; most Test wkts as left-arm pacer
- Four matches won by fielding first: 2nd time in Ashes history (after 2001)
Conclusion: Australia Win The Series 4-1
Australia dominated the 2025/26 Ashes 4-1 at home, overcoming the absences of Cummins, Hazlewood, and Lyon to bury England’s Bazball hopes. Mitchell Starc’s 31 wickets earned Player of the Series, Travis Head’s 600+ runs (3 tons) powered chases, and Steven Smith’s 80% captaincy win rate tied records. England salvaged pride with Melbourne’s chase but rued 18 drops and batting collapses. Bethell’s Sydney 154 signalled hope, yet key moments slipped away. The urn stays Down Under, series run-rate 4.07—the highest ever—as Australia thrived on depleted pitches.
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