Australia Claims Ashes 4-1 as England Faces “Drawing Board” Moment
SYDNEY: Australia officially reclaimed the Ashes on Thursday, securing a five-wicket victory in the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The hosts chased down a target of 160 by mid-afternoon on the final day, finishing the series with a dominant 4-1 scoreline.
While the match saw moments of tension—including a record-breaking crowd of over 200,000 across the five days—the result underscored Australia’s superiority throughout the summer. Alex Carey struck the winning runs with a drive through extra cover, punctuating a series where he excelled both with the gloves and the bat.
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Series Highlights and Lows
The Ashes were lost in a record-equalling 11 days of active play, leaving England captain Ben Stokes to admit that the team needs to “go back to the drawing board.”
- Australian Dominance: Mitchell Starc was the standout performer, finishing the series with 31 wickets at an average of 19. His strike rate of 29.6 set a new record for an Ashes series. Travis Head also proved immovable, amassing 629 runs at an average of 69.2.
- England’s Glimmer of Hope: Despite the heavy defeat, 22-year-old Jacob Bethell provided a genuine moment of promise with a superb 154 in the final Test, earning standing ovations from the Sydney crowd.
- A Final Farewell: The match marked the end of Usman Khawaja’s distinguished Test career. Though he fell for just six runs—bowled by Josh Tongue—he departed to a guard of honour and a passionate farewell from the fans.
Turning Points
The final day was not without controversy. England’s Brydon Carse was left fuming after a caught-behind appeal against Jake Weatherald was turned down by third umpire Kumar Dharmasena, despite a “low murmur” on Snicko.
However, England’s hopes ultimately faded when the second new ball was taken. Starc ruthlessly cleaned up the tail, dismissing Bethell and Tongue to end the innings. While Josh Tongue and Will Jacks managed to trigger a brief “frisson of jeopardy” by reducing Australia to 121-5, Carey and Cameron Green remained composed to steer the hosts to the trophy.
Final Standings
| Team | Series Result | Key Performer |
| Australia | 4 | Mitchell Starc (31 Wickets) |
| England | 1 | Travis Head (629 Runs) |
The England squad now heads home facing intense scrutiny over their “Bazball” approach and lack of preparation, while Australia celebrates a summer of “left-arm majesty” and clinical execution.
