Australia completed a 4–1 Ashes series victory over England after winning the fifth and final Test of the 2025–26 edition by five wickets at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Thursday, January 8. Marnus Labuschagne and Jake Weatherald were at the forefront of the victory, emerging as the top scorers as Australia chased down the modest 160-run target with relative ease to seal the match and the series.

It was a refreshing return for both fans and pundits to a five-day Test match after the fourth game in Melbourne had finished inside two days. Jacob Bethell’s heroic innings of 154 could not save England from a crushing series defeat, as their tactics and strategy were exposed time and again by an indomitable Australian side.

It marked the fourth successive Ashes defeat for England in Australia, with the visitors having won just one Test in the country over the past 15 years. England last held the Ashes in 2015 and has failed to regain the coveted trophy in the five attempts since.

Australia made a terrific start to the chase, with openers Travis Head (29 off 35) and Jake Weatherald adopting their usual aggressive approach and adding 62 runs for the first wicket off just 63 balls. England managed their first breakthrough when Head holed out to mid-wicket while attempting to accelerate the scoring and finish the chase quickly.

Jake Weatherald (34 off 40) was dismissed at the stroke of lunch, caught at fine leg by Matthew Potts. In the second session, Steve Smith joined Marnus Labuschagne at the crease, with the latter determined to wrap up the chase without unnecessary delay.

A chaotic second session
Smith and Labuschagne appeared well settled as Australia cruised towards victory. However, the momentum briefly shifted when Will Jacks extracted sa harp turn from the surface and bowled Smith through the gate with a superb delivery.

Smith’s dismissal brought Usman Khawaja to the crease for the final time in his Test career, with the English players and umpires forming a guard of honour to acknowledge the moment. Labuschagne continued to accumulate runs at a brisk pace, finding the boundary regularly to keep Australia firmly in control.

Further drama unfolded when Khawaja chopped a delivery from Josh Tongue back onto his stumps. Australia then suffered another setback as Marnus Labuschagne (37 off 40) was run out, leaving the hosts still 38 runs short of the target despite having five wickets in hand. In the end, Cameron Green (22*) and Alex Carey (16*) ensured Australia got over the line without any more hiccups in the chase.

Earlier in the day, Jacob Bethell continued his marathon innings, bringing up his 150 to help England extend their second-innings lead. His resistance finally ended on 154 when Mitchell Starc (3/72) induced an edge that was comfortably taken by wicketkeeper Alex Carey. England were eventually bowled out for 342, setting Australia a target of 160 runs.

Stokes and McCullum under fire
Travis Head was adjudged Player of the Match for his sensational first-innings knock of 163 (166). Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc was bestowed with the Player of the Series honour, finishing as the highest wicket-taker with 31 scalps from five matches. Starc also contributed 156 runs from seven innings at an average of 26 and won back-to-back Player of the Match awards in the first two Tests.

Meanwhile, another Ashes loss has left England facing glaring concerns, as their Bazball philosophy failed to deliver in Australian conditions. While the Ben Stokes-led side has secured series victories against most Test-playing nations, their inability to emerge victorious against top teams such as Australia and India has once again raised question marks over the current team management.

Head coach Brendon McCullum and Stokes have reiterated time and again that they are the right men to take England cricket forward. However, it remains to be seen whether the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) are also on the same page in the coming weeks.