The Australian men’s cricket team is set to take on England in the 5th Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The 5th clash of the five-Test series will start from January 4 onwards.

A total of 113 Test matches have been played here. Australia have won 62 games and suffered 28 defeats. 23 matches have been drawn so far. Notably, England have featured in 57 Tests, winning 22, losing 27 and drawing 8.

Both sides have played one Test series each in the ongoing World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. Australia beat West Indies 3-0 away and lead the series 3-1 versus England. They are atop after 7 matches. Meanwhile, England are also playing their 2nd Test series. They drew 2-2 against India at home and trail this series 1-3.

What is the Context of the AUS vs ENG match?

England announced their squad of 12 for the 4th Test on January 2. They included spinners Shoaib Bashir and Todd Murphy. Earlier, Gus Atkinson was ruled out of the 5th encounter.

For the Aussies, Usman Khawaja will play his final Test as he is set to retire. Beau Webster can get a look in for Cameron Green, who has struggled.

Australia and England have featured in 365 Test matches. Australia have won 155 matches compared to the England team’s 112. A total of 97 matches have been drawn. In Australia, the two teams have met on 189 occasions. The hosts have claimed 102 wins besides losing 58. A total of 29 matches have been drawn.

The 5th Test between Australia and England will start at 5:00am IST on January 4 in Sydney.

Australia – Probable Playing XI

Travis Head: The multi-format player can be Australia’s match-winner. He owns 4400 runs in Tests at 42.72. His strike rate is 69-plus.

Jake Weatherald: He made Test debut in the 1st Ashes Test. Weatherald didn’t impress, scoring only 0 and 23. He shone thereafter in the 2nd Test and hit a crucial fifty in the match’s 2nd innings. In Adelaide, he suffered once again with 18 and 1.

Marnus Labuschagne: He fought his way back into the side after being dropped for the West Indies tour and delivered against England in Perth. Labuschagne also did well in the Gabba Test and is a clutch figure. However, he faltered in Adelaide, scoring 19 and 13. He failed in Melbourne, scoring 6 and 8.

Steve Smith (c): He led Australia for the 1st two Tests and was superb. He missed the 3rd Test. And now Smith is back once again and will lead the last match. He has a strong record at the SCG.

Usman Khawaja: The southpaw is set to retire after this clash. Khawaja averages 87.50 at the SCG and a sound knock will be magnificent .

Alex Carey (wk): A fierce player, left-handed batter Carey is a key asset. He has scored vital runs in this series and remains a threat.

Cameron Green: He is likely to keep his place and bat at seven as the all-rounder. A big game awaits Green who would be keen to make his presence felt with bat and ball.

Mitchell Starc: He will lead the Aussie attack. Starc has been magnificent in this Ashes series and one hopes to see him dominate once again. He has done well with the bat too.

Todd Murphy: He seems to be a replacement for Lyon. Australia are unlikely to go with an all pace attack.

Scott Boland: The pacer has been decent in this series and will provide support to Starc in pace.

Michael Neser: He did well in the only Test he featured in this series. He bagged 6 wickets in Brisbane and was then dropped as Cummins came back. He returned for the MCG affair.

Player to watch out for (Steve Smith): The senior Aussie batter will want to bring his A game. He has a sound record at home in Tests.

England – Probable Playing XI

Ben Duckett : The England southpaw will aim to take on the Aussies from the start with his aggressive play. He scored 21 and 28 in the Perth Test. In Brisbane, he managed a paltry 0 and 15. In Adelaide, he got 29 and 4. He scored 2 and 34 in Melbourne.

Zak Crawley : He will be supporting Duckett well at the top. Crawley bagged a pair in the Perth Test before being amongst the runs in Brisbane. He scored 9 and 85 in the 3rd Test. At MCG, he got 5 and 37.

Jacob Bethell: He will be backed to put up a shift. Replacing Ollie Pope is a deserved factor, and now Bethell has to be an x-factor.

Joe Root: The 2nd-highest scorer in Tests, Root suffered in the 1st Ashes Test, scoring 0 and 8. He smashed a century in Brisbane thereafter. Root scored 19 and 39 in Adelaide. And in Melbourne, he managed 0 and 15.

Harry Brook: He needs to curb his aggression and play a sound brand of cricket. He scored 53 and 0 in the 1st Test. The 2nd Test saw him get started before he threw the same away. He scored 45 and 30 next. At the MCG, he bagged 41 and 18*.

Ben Stokes (c): He will be aiming to bring his all-round play. Stokes has shown grit and character when needed in this series.

Jamie Smith (wk): The wicketkeeper batter can be a menace with his power-hitting and risk-taking abilities. He scored 33 and 15 in the Perth Test before failing cheaply in the 2nd clash. He managed 22 and 60 in Adelaide. In Melbourne, he got 2 and 3*.

Will Jacks: He owns over 2700 First-Class runs with 4 tons and 16 fifties. With the ball, he has 53 scalps.

Brydon Carse: Being 13 Tests old, he has bagged 55 scalps. He has been England’s best wicket-taker in Ashes 2025-26, bagging 21 wickets.

Shoaib Bashir: He can replace Gus Atkinson in this match. Right-arm spinner Bashir was ignored for the first 4 matches.

Josh Tongue: He made a return to the side for Atkinson in Adelaide. He did a reasonable job with 5 wickets in the same. In Melbourne next, he claimed a fifer and took another two wickets in the 3rd innings.

Player to watch out for (Joe Root): He is a world class Test player and England will count on his attributes.

Top Batters for Dream11

In terms of the Dream11 team pick, among batters, the likes of Steve Smith, Joe Root and Harry Brook can be wise picks alongside Travis Head and Ben Duckett.

Jamie Smith can be a differential pick. He promises quick runs and able partnerships.

Best All-Rounders to Boost Points

In terms of all-rounders,  one can go with two sound options in the form of England skipper Ben Stokes and Australian powerhouse Cameron Green.

Bowlers to Watch in Dream11

With the surface expected to help pacers especially with the new ball, go for quicks. The likes of Mitchell Starc, Josh Tongue and Michael Neser can be ideal picks. Spinner Todd Murphy can be handy.

Captain and Vice-captain picks

Head can be an ideal captaincy option with Brook being the vice-captain pick.

One can mix it with Starc being picked as captain and having Crawley as the vice-captain.

Pitch Report & Venue Conditions

Historically, the pitches at the SCG have facilitated spinners. However, of late things have changed with pace bowlers now finding more joy. A well balanced contest between bat and ball is expected from the SCG pitch. SCG chief curator Adam Lewis insisted on Friday that a green top scene should not be a concern, and he was hopeful the match would extend into a fifth day. 6mm of grass will be on the surface with reduced density to keep everyone in the contest. Spin could come in late which indicates a balance approach.

Match Prediction – Who Has the Upper Hand?

All things considered, both sides will be up for it on a surface that will be balanced. Both teams will have pace options and can field a spinner. Australia will be slightly ahead given the dominance of Mitchell Starc in the first 4 Tests. Batsmen will be in the contest, and this provides an even contest.

FAQs About AUS vs ENG Playing 11

Who are the key players in the AUS vs ENG clash?

For the Aussies, Steve Smith will want to bring his A game. He has a sound record at home in Tests. For England, Joe Root can be ominous for Australia. He is a sheer run-scorer.