The Ashes 2025-26 sequence reached a poignant and dramatic conclusion on January 8, 2026, on the Sydney Cricket Floor (SCG). Whereas Australia had already secured the urn, the ultimate day of the fifth Check was heavy with emotion because it marked the worldwide retirement of veteran opener Usman Khawaja. Chasing a tough goal of 160 on a deteriorating floor, Australia overcame a spirited English fightback to safe a five-wicket victory, sealing the sequence with a definitive 4-1 scoreline. Regardless of the loss, England discovered a silver lining within the emergence of younger Jacob Bethell, whose marathon second-innings knock ensured the sequence went all the way down to the ultimate afternoon in Sydney.
A farewell match for a legend: Usman Khawaja’s guard of honour
The ultimate morning was outlined by a touching present of sportsmanship because the England workforce shaped a guard of honor for Usman Khawaja. Because the 39-year-old walked out to bat for the final time in his Dishevelled Inexperienced, the SCG erupted in a standing ovation for the native hero. In a profession that started on this very floor in 2011, Khawaja’s affect as Australia’s first Muslim Check cricketer was acknowledged by captain Ben Stokes, who personally shook his hand earlier than play resumed. Although his remaining innings was transient, dismissed for six by Josh Tongue after chopping onto his stumps, the veteran left the sector to a different raucous reception, concluding an 88-Check journey marked by resilience and charm.
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Australia’s dominance and England’s grit within the Ashes 2025-26
The sequence as an entire mirrored Australia’s relentless medical edge, although England’s late-series resurgence prevented a complete whitewash. After dominant victories in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, the Australians appeared untouchable earlier than a chaotic, two-day shootout in Melbourne gave England a four-wicket comfort win. The ultimate Check in Sydney encapsulated the shifting dynamics: Joe Root’s first-innings 160 and Jacob Bethell’s heroic 154 within the second innings put Australia beneath immense strain. Nonetheless, the hosts’ depth proved too robust, with Travis Head (Participant of the Match for his first-innings 163) and Mitchell Starc (Participant of the Sequence with 31 wickets) constantly seizing the decisive moments.
Earlier, talking to TNT Sports activities after Day 4, Sir Alastair Cook dinner had predicted {that a} goal of 160 was ‘defended ready’ if England may strike early and take away Travis Head. His prophecy almost got here true as Josh Tongue ripped via the Australian high order on Day 5, lowering the hosts to 92/3 and ultimately 121/5. Whereas England did handle to take away Head (29) and Khawaja (6) cheaply, an unbeaten 40-run partnership between Alex Carey and Cameron Inexperienced ultimately steadied the nerves. Carey hit the successful runs off Will Jacks, guaranteeing that whereas the sequence ended 4-1, the ultimate day in Sydney was a becoming tribute to each a retiring legend and a aggressive Ashes summer season.
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