Ashes 5th Test Day 5 Highlights: Cameron Green, Alex Carey guide Australia to 5-wicket win

And now then, a moment to savour for the hosts. Captain Steve Smith receives the crystal Ashes urn from Steve Waugh, before being joined by Pat Cummins and the rest of the Australian squad. They now gather for the photographs with broad smiles as they celebrate the triumph. Both teams will now enjoy a long, deserved break from red-ball cricket before their next respective assignments. And with that, the curtains fall on The Ashes 2025/26. Australia win in emphatically by 4-1. Bazball arrived with trumpet fanfare and delivered some genuinely entertaining and thrilling cricket. But their wait for beating Australia in Australia still continues. We hope you all enjoyed our coverage throughout the series. It is now time to bid adieu, only to meet the next time. Cheers!

The victorious captain of Australia, STEVE SMITH, is all smiles and walks for a chat. Expresses his happiness by saying that it was nice to finish on a high note and that they know the importance of every Test match win in terms of the WTC qualifications. Calls it a good game of Test cricket and says that it was a well-earned victory. Adds that the guys stood up well in different scenarios, and everyone did their job. Points that they have an experienced side and that they have been playing good cricket for the last 5 years or so. Also reflects that they have been a part of two WTC finals as well. Says that they know how to play on these surfaces. On Khawaja, he highlights that Usman played his first Test in Sydney 15 years back, and since then, he has been a great player and a human being as well.  Ends by acknowledging the way England gave them a tough fight.

England captain BEN STOKES describes the match as a great game to be involved in, noting that five-day Test matches always generate high drama. He admits that the outcome might have been different if England had managed a lead of around 200 runs and credits Australia as a great team that plays incredible cricket with outstanding bowlers. Acknowledging that his team could have played better, Stokes looks ahead to the long break before the next series as an opportunity for reflection and to put the wrongs to right. He also praises the incredible efforts of Bethell, who seized his opportunity in the final match with a brilliant batting performance. Also appreciates Josh Tongue, who bowled really well, highlighting the good talent emerging in the squad. In the end, he thanks the Barmy Army's support, saying that their backing means a lot to the team.

Australia's MITCHELL STARC is the PLAYER OF THE SERIES for being the leading wicket-taker in this Ashes, bagging 31 wickets across 5 Tests. He also wins the Compton-Miller Medal. He starts by mentioning that his body is holding on well together. Adds that it has been a great group to be a part of. Admits that he feels a bit tired as he and Scott Boland are on the tough side of things. Says it has been a long series but has been very fruitful and enjoyable to be a part of. About his contributions, Starc adds it feels nice to chip in here and there with the bat, and appreciates Head for the way he batted throughout the series.  Highlights that his partnership with  Boland was an important one in that Brisbane Test.

TRAVIS HEAD has been adjudged as the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his outstanding century. Head reflects on his performance and expresses that the achievement feels special. He mentions that it was tough to bat at the venue but was pleased to handle the hard ball, open the batting, and contribute significantly to the win. Head cherishes every century but held the ones from the beginning of the series in higher regard as they were crucial in securing the Ashes early on. He expresses personal satisfaction in finishing the series strongly with runs, emphasizing the need not to take the foot off and acknowledging the amazing week the team has experienced. When asked about potential post-match celebrations, Head defers to one of the Sydney boys or suggests captain Pat Cummins should organize something, adding that Starc was ready for a break after five consecutive Test matches and that Smith would do his own thing.

... THE PRESENTATION CEREMONY ...

Joe Root finished the series with exactly 400 runs, including two centuries that ended his personal Australian drought. On paper, that sounds respectable. In reality, it tells a story of feast or famine. Beyond those two tons, he managed just one other score past 20, a modest 39 in Adelaide. Whereas Steve Smith is now the only batter behind Don Bradman, as the batter with the second most centuries in the Ashes, reading 13 to be exact. It is the kind of achievement that transcends statistics. His appetite to score remains undimmed, his focus unbreakable.

Travis Head emerged as Australia’s standout performer of the series. He dragged them out of a precarious position in the Perth Test and drove an improbable victory well inside two days. He then delivered with the bat again in the final Test, extinguishing England’s hopes of narrowing the series to 3-2. Australia also had to cope without several key personnel, including Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood in the bowling department. Cummins featured only in the fourth Test and took no further part thereafter, yet despite missing senior figures for much of the series, Australia continued to operate at near full strength thanks to Mitchell Starc stepping from the front in all five Tests, and ending as the leading wicket-taker with 31 scalps to his name, with no one near him. 

This Ashes series hasn't just been a contest between Australia and England. It's been a clinic in contrasting philosophies, a collision between meticulous professionalism and swashbuckling ambition that forgot to pack the essentials. Australia's batting hasn't always been spectacular, but it's been relentlessly productive. Five 50-plus partnerships, along with a couple of centurion stands in a single innings represents more than just good form. It's a statement about depth, resilience, and the kind of collective responsibility that turns good teams into great ones. England's batting, by contrast, resembled a house of cards in a wind tunnel. Ben Duckett's nine consecutive failures to pass 34 before this innings tells the story of a top order in crisis. And then there's Zak Crawley, who averages just above 30 across 100-plus innings batting in the top three, proving just how fragile their top order has been.

A target of 160 looked modest for Australia, and although they eventually chased it down, England refused to go down quietly. Josh Tongue, as he had done throughout the series, consistently troubled the batters and ripped through the Australian top order with impressive control, but he lacked sustained support from the other end. The ball gripped, bounced and turned prodigiously for the spinners, who did ask some tough questions to the batters, but, in the end, the target simply proved a bit too lean for this Australian side.

England’s second innings started on a shaky note, slipping to 117 for 3 as the opening pair once again failed to provide the expected platform. Even Root was unable to make a telling impact this time. Then came the 22-year-old Jacob Bethell, producing a knock of remarkable maturity that dominated the fourth day’s headlines. He embarked on a marathon 154, facing more balls than anyone else in the match, and almost single-handedly hauled England out of serious trouble. And with the lower order contributing vital runs, England did manage to trim down the deficit and pile on a 159-run lead over Australia, come the fifth day. 

Sydney provided a welcome contrast with a superb batting surface after the much-criticised two-day contest at the MCG. The first two days here were shaped by three centurions across the two sides. Joe Root set the tone with a commanding 160 in the first innings, supported by Harry Brook’s 84 as England piled up a formidable 384. Australia then responded in kind, centuries from Travis Head and skipper Steve Smith, and a sensational 71 from Beau Webster, powering them to a commanding first innings lead of 183 runs.

ALEX CAREY is up for a chat with Mark Howard now. He begins by saying it was a great series and a great game that went down to the wire. Adds that he owes Marnus a beer or two after that run out. Adds that Khawaja is going to be missed a lot in the dressing room and congratulates him on his fabulous career, and that it is a fitting way for him to sign off. Mentions that they have been lucky to receive such immense support from the crowd at every venue they have played. 

And now, let's hear it from the man of the moment. Baggy Green cap number 419, USMAN KHAWAJA, is with Mark Howard to have a chat. He shares how much the Ashes victory means to him and his profound emotion surrounding his retirement, recalling a conversation with his wife that morning where she simply told him to go out and enjoy. He admits that the prospect of wearing the 'baggy green' for the last time made it difficult to concentrate and manage his emotions this morning, finding it a truly tough moment. He attributes significant credit for his career to his wife's unwavering support through all situations, and also expresses gratitude to everyone who has gifted him such lovely moments throughout his journey. Uzzy concludes by stating his immense gratitude for having lived this experience, and also expresses his intentions to enjoy the next phase of his life with his family. Lastly, he thanks the fans, urging them to continue supporting Test cricket, which he calls the most beautiful format of the game.

Victory in Sydney seals the 2025/26 Ashes 4-1 in Australia’s favour. England have largely been outplayed throughout the series, and the scoreline is a fair reflection of the gap between the two sides in all departments. They arrived on day five with their noses in front, but England made sure that every run Australia scored in the chase was hard-earned. It was a tough tour for England overall in every aspect. However, they had their moments and time and again, they put themselves in strong positions, but their habit of faltering at the crucial moments ultimately proved decisive. The England players turn to applaud the Barmy Army, whose unwavering support has been the one constant bright spot of the series for the tourists.

31.2: Will Jacks to Alex Carey, FOUR! ALEX CAREY HITS THE WINNING RUNS! Tossed up, around off, Alex Carey strides to the pitch of the delivery and drives this one away to the right of the extra cover fielder for a boundary to wrap the game and the series. Australia have won this game by 5 wickets and have clinched the Ashes series 4-1

31.1: Will Jacks to Alex Carey, Floated into the batter. Alex Carey defends this off his front foot.

30.6: Brydon Carse to Cameron Green, FOUR MORE! Down to a hit now. Short, wide on off, Cameron Green hops up on his toes and cuts this square, away to the right of the backward point fielder for four more runs. 

30.5: Brydon Carse to Cameron Green, Carse comes around the stumps, darts a short one, around middle and off, Cameron Green ducks down but takes one on the left shoulder for the side.

30.4: Brydon Carse to Cameron Green, FOUR! Just 7 more needed after this boundary. Back of a length around off, Cameron Green rides the bounce of this one, hops onto his back foot and punches this behind square on off for a boundary. 150 UP FOR AUSTRALIA!

30.3: Brydon Carse to Alex Carey, Short pitched, on leg. Alex Carey dabs this to deep backward square leg for a single.

30.2: Brydon Carse to Alex Carey, Back of a length on leg, Alex Carey glances it off the hip. Short leg gets a hand to it, but parries it behind him. Carey sets off for a run, but Green quickly sends him back on a sharp call. 

30.1: Brydon Carse to Cameron Green, Back of a length around off, Cameron Green punches this through the cover region for a single. Australia now need just 12 more to win.

29.6: Will Jacks to Alex Carey, Flighted around off, Alex Carey plays the reverse sweep and rolls this to point for no run.

29.5: Will Jacks to Cameron Green, THREE BYES! A top-spinner around middle and off, turning sharply down the leg stump from the rough, with extra bounce too. Cameron Green rocks back and bails out of the flick, as the ball beats both bat and keeper before trickling away towards deep fine leg for three byes, as it is hunted down by the deep backward square leg fielder to his right. 

29.4: Will Jacks to Cameron Green, Quicker and flatter, on off. Cameron Green blocks.

29.3: Will Jacks to Cameron Green, A bit more of yes-no between the batters. Tossed up, around off, Cameron Green pushes this to the left of Jacob Bethell at cover and Alex Carey sets off for one. Green sends him back just in time.

29.2: Will Jacks to Cameron Green, Fuller one, wide of off, around the rough patch. Green blocks this from the inside of his bat to short leg.

29.1: Will Jacks to Cameron Green, Tossed up, on middle and off. Cameron Green blocks this out.

28.6: Brydon Carse to Cameron Green, Back of a length around off, Cameron Green tucks this towards the mid-wicket region and takes one.

28.5: Brydon Carse to Alex Carey, Back of a length on middle and off, Alex Carey hops up on his toes and keeps it out around silly point for a single.

28.4: Brydon Carse to Alex Carey, Short and wide of off, Alex Carey leaves it all alone.

28.3: Brydon Carse to Alex Carey, Good length on the pads, Alex Carey tucks this to mid-wicket for no run.

28.2: Brydon Carse to Alex Carey, Short pitched, around leg. Alex Carey ducks down on this one.

28.1: Brydon Carse to Cameron Green, CHAOS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SCG! Short pitched, on off, Green stands tall and dabs it into the off side before setting off. Carse is quick to the ball, turns, and has a shy at the stumps at the bowler's end, but misses. With no one backing up, they take off for the second. Carey is halfway down when Green starts ball-watching and has run too far. Noticing that, Carey eventually sends him back, knowing he would never have made it to the striker’s end. The throw comes to the keeper but both the batters make it to their respective ends by then.

28.1: Brydon Carse to Cameron Green, WIDE! One for the over, says the umpire after gesturing a wide ball. Bumper, way too high over the batter and Green sits under it.

DRINKS BREAK. Australia are on the verge of a win now, needing 20 runs. But credit to the Englishmen, as they have not allowed the hosts an easy victory. Josh Tongue has troubled the batters and has made them huff and puff for every single run. They slipped from 92/2 to 121/5, but Carey and Green seem to have settled in well, for now, at least. And these two will aim to coast Australia safely to the winning mark. 

27.6: Joe Root to Alex Carey, Slides into the batter, full in length, Alex Carey draws the front foot forward and defends it under his eyes. 

27.5: Joe Root to Alex Carey, Nice and full, tossed up on middle. Alex Carey lunges ahead and gently pushes it to mid off. 

27.4: Joe Root to Alex Carey, Darts in a length ball, outside off, Carey leaves. 

27.3: Joe Root to Cameron Green, Touch short, wide outside off, steered off the back foot to deep backward point for a single. 

27.2: Joe Root to Cameron Green, Flat and full, around off, Cameron Green is drawn forward and smothers the spin into the off side.

27.1: Joe Root to Alex Carey, Short and on off, Carey hangs deep inside the crease and knocks it to deep cover for a single. 

26.6: Brydon Carse to Cameron Green, Banged short, on off, bunted out to the cover region. 

26.5: Brydon Carse to Cameron Green, FOUR! SOLIDLY CRUNCHED! Short of a good length, on off, rearing up off the deck. Cameron Green rides the bounce as he stands tall and punches it wide of cover for a cracking boundary. Australia need 22 more runs to win. 

26.4: Brydon Carse to Alex Carey, Back of a length, lasered at the pads. Carey is rushed on the back foot and glances it to the right of short fine leg for a single. 

26.3: Brydon Carse to Cameron Green, Slammed hard into the pitch, on the leg stump. Green hops inside the line and tickles it behind to deep fine leg for a single. 

26.2: Brydon Carse to Alex Carey, Jags back in from a good length, on middle. Alex Carey is flummoxed by the bounce and nip into him but plays with soft hands and fends it off the inner half to the mid-wicket region. Carse rushes to his left from the follow-through to cut the ball off, but Green, who is off for a single, almost rams into him, but hops to avoid the collision and reaches the other end, completing a quick single. 

26.1: Brydon Carse to Alex Carey, Full and on off, from around the stumps. Alex Carey plays off the front foot and bumps it back to the bowler. 

25.6: Joe Root to Cameron Green, Drops it full, on off, defended watchfully back to the bowler's left. 

25.5: Joe Root to Cameron Green, Full and nicely looped around off, Green gets a big stride in and pushes it to cover.

25.4: Joe Root to Cameron Green, An appeal for a catch, but not given! Miles away from the bat. Extracts prodigious turn into the batter with some bounce, does Root. Full and spinning across the bat as Cameron Green leans forward to defend it out. He gets beaten on the inside edge and the ball lobs off the front pad and is taken by Ben Duckett at short leg. 

25.3: Joe Root to Cameron Green, Tossed up nicely, short and spinning in from off. Cameron Green uses the depth of the crease as he hangs back and blocks it watchfully.

25.2: Joe Root to Cameron Green, Hangs up there, full and on off, Green drills it back to the bowler. 

25.1: Joe Root to Cameron Green, Full and tossed on off, Green drives it to mid off. 

24.6: Josh Tongue to Alex Carey, A steep bouncer on middle and leg. Alex Carey sits under it to leave.

24.5: Josh Tongue to Cameron Green, Length-delivery, on the pads, Cameron Green stands tall and tucks it to deep backward square leg for a single. 

24.4: Josh Tongue to Alex Carey, Full and slanted in on the pads, Care flicks it wide of mid-wicket for a single. 

24.3: Josh Tongue to Alex Carey, Full and straight on middle, Carey cracks the straight drive and it is chased down by Ben Duckett to his left from mid off for a couple of runs. 

24.2: Josh Tongue to Cameron Green, Back of a length, on middle and leg, Cameron Green gets inside the line and steers it to deep backward square leg for a single. 

24.1: Josh Tongue to Alex Carey, Short and outside off, Alex Carey hangs back and steers it to deep backward point for a single. 

23.6: Joe Root to Cameron Green, On a shorter length, outside off, Cameron Green works it wide of extra cover for a couple of runs. 

23.5: Joe Root to Alex Carey, Pitched full, on off driven off the front foot wide of cover for a single. 

23.4: Joe Root to Alex Carey, Nice and full, around off, eased straight back at the bowler. 

23.3: Joe Root to Cameron Green, Full and pushed outside off, Cameron Green creams it through point for an easy single. 

23.2: Joe Root to Cameron Green, Spins in sharply from off, on a fuller length, Cameron Green leans forward to defend, but plays over the line and the ball clips the front pad and lobs into the hands of short leg. 

Out goes Marnus and in walks Cameron Green at number 7.

23.1: Joe Root to Marnus Labuschagne, OUT! MARNUS IS RUN OUT! Pinch yourselves because it is real. A needless throw of a wicket and England keep themselves alive in the contest. Tossed up outside off. Labuschagne strides forward to the pitch of the ball and drills it past a diving short extra cover to his right. He instantly calls for the single and charges halfway down, but Carey is ball-watching and doesn’t respond, forcing Marnus to turn back. Potts reacts sharply, moving left from mid off to collect and fire in a flat, simple throw to the keeper. Jamie Smith whips off the bails as Labuschagne dives in vain, and the replays confirm he is miles short of his ground. Marnus Labuschagne is down on his haunches and admonishes himself as he straightaway knew his fate. 37 off 40 for Marnus Labuschagne and Australia are 121/5. 

Joe Root is brought into the attack now, replacing Will Jacks.

22.6: Josh Tongue to Alex Carey, On a length, around off, pushed towards mid off. 

22.5: Josh Tongue to Alex Carey, Touch full, on middle, this is clipped to mid on.

22.4: Josh Tongue to Alex Carey, Full and angling in and around off, Alex Carey forces the drive to mid off. 

22.3: Josh Tongue to Alex Carey, Back of a length, outside off, Alex Carey smashes it through cover and point for a couple of runs.

22.2: Josh Tongue to Alex Carey, Bumper, around leg. Alex Carey ducks down on this.

A superb career comes to an end for Usman Khawaja. At a venue where it all started. He gets a huge reception from the SCG crowd. Alex Carey walks in at number 6.

22.1: Josh Tongue to Usman Khawaja, OUT! CHOPPED ON! Josh Tongue keeps troubling the Aussies as he bags his third wicket. Short of a length in the channel outside off. Khawaja hops back and looks to punch on the off side, but there is just a hint of inward deviation. It takes the inside edge and deflects onto the top of the stumps. And that brings the curtain down on Khawaja in the Baggy Green. He receives a standing ovation as the SCG rises to applaud. Marnus Labuschagne walks up to embrace him, gives him a pat on the back, as the crowd gives Khawaja a warm, heartfelt farewell. The veteran gets down on his haunches and kisses the turf before he makes a long walk back to the dressing room for one last time as his Test career draws to a close. Unfortunately, he couldn't make much of an impact in his final Test, and walks back for 6 (7). Australia are 119/4, needing 41 runs. 

21.6: Will Jacks to Marnus Labuschagne, FOUR! Laced through the gap! Wide outside off, very full, Marnus Labuschagne strides across and carves it hard and beats the diving cover fielder to his right for a boundary. 

21.5: Will Jacks to Marnus Labuschagne, Good length outside off at 90.4 kph. It lands and then turns back in and stays low as Labuschagne steps down the track, covering the line to defend, only to nudge it off the inside edge towards short leg.

21.4: Will Jacks to Marnus Labuschagne, Full and outside off at 88.5 kph. Labuschagne looks to reverse-sweep, but it comes off the bottom of the bat and dribbles out to deep point. He was aiming to place it much squarer, but will still come back for a comfortable two.

21.3: Will Jacks to Marnus Labuschagne, FOUR! Smashed down the ground! Full, around off, Marnus Labuschagne advances down the pitch and plays with the spin. His bat does twist at the point of contact, but he goes through his shot and lofts it over mid on to beat the long on fielder to his left for a boundary.

21.2: Will Jacks to Marnus Labuschagne, Turns in from the rough, on a length, Marnus Labuschagne backs away and slaps it to deep extra cover for a couple of runs. 

21.1: Will Jacks to Marnus Labuschagne, FOUR! Good response! Full and turning into the stumps. Labuschagne drops to one knee, plays against the spin, rolls his wrists, and reverse-sweeps it neatly through backward point for a boundary.

20.6: Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, EDGED AND DROPPED! A hot chance goes begging as Bethell shells what could have been a stunner of a catch. Wide outside off, on a fullish length, nipping away. Marnus Labuschagne throws his bat at it to drive towards cover, but is nowhere near the pitch of the ball and gets an outside edge that is bound to fly over the gully fielder, but Jacob Bethell throws himself airborne with the leap and tries to catch it with both hands stretched over his head, but just couldn't cling on it as he lands hard on the ground and the ball pops out of his hands. A single taken. 10/10 for the effort there from the young bloke. 

20.5: Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, Angles it into the batter, full in length, at 140.6 kph. Marnus Labuschagne lets the ball arrive and solidly bunts it down the pitch.

20.4: Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, Full and outside off. Marnus Labuschagne commits on the front foot and drives to get it past the cover fielder, but Ben Duckett dives to his left and cuts it off. 

20.3: Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, A sizzling bumper, on the leg stump. Marnus Labuschagne ducks under it. 

20.2: Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, Nips away from the seam, on a length, outside off, Marnus Labuschagne lets it go. 

20.1: Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, Hard lenght, on middle, blocked watchfully off the back foot. 

19.6: Will Jacks to Usman Khawaja, Nearly! Dropped short, on off, Usman Khawaja rocks back and tries to punch it in front of square on the off side, but gets a fat outside edge. The ball shoots between the keeper and the first slip fielder. Ben Stokes at first slip, is a bit too wide and dives to his right to catch, but the ball evades him and rolls to the deep for a couple of runs. 

19.5: Will Jacks to Usman Khawaja, Slower through the air at 86.1 kph, full and sliding on off with some turn. Usman Khawaja tries the paddle sweep, but gets a thick top edge and the ball lands safely in thereabouts of mid-wicket. 

19.4: Will Jacks to Usman Khawaja, Straighter outside off, on a length, left alone by Usman. 

19.3: Will Jacks to Usman Khawaja, Sharp turn, flighted full and on off, Usman Khawaja plays with soft hands and defends it out.

19.2: Will Jacks to Usman Khawaja, FOUR! Khawaja is up and running! Drifts in and on the leg stump line, full in length. Usman Khawaja gets across the line and sits down on a knee as he paddles it to deep fine leg for a boundary. 100 UP FOR AUSTRALIA!

19.1: Will Jacks to Marnus Labuschagne, Around off, spinning in on a length, Marnus Labuschagne goes deep inside the crease and nudges it behind square on the leg side, just past the forward square leg fielder for a single. 

18.6: Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, Back of a length, rearing up a bit, on middle, Marnus Labuschagne is a bit indecisive there. He leans back and just checks his pull shot towards deep square leg for a single. 

18.5: Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, Full and on middle, nipping in. Marnus Labuschagne looks to flick it across, but closes the bat face a bit too early, which ekes out a thick leading edge towards deep backward point. Two taken.

18.4: Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, Outside off, on a length, Marnus is stubborn in leaving. 

18.3: Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, Short on top of the stumps, Marnus ducks under it.

18.2: Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, Nagging length, around off, left alone alertly. 

18.1: Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, A massive appeal from the bowler for caught behind, but not given. Jamie Smith is not interested and Stokes gestures that it came off the thigh pad. And the English skipper is spot on. A bit too straight on the pads, on a good length, Marnus Labuschagne misses his flick and the ball grazes his front thigh pad before Jamie Smith takes a diving catch to his left. Snicko later confirms the same. 

17.6: Will Jacks to Usman Khawaja, Full, on off, blocked watchfully off the front foot to the off side.

The SCG cheers for Usman Khawaja as he walks in for one last time to bat in the whites. Good gesture from the English players as they give a guard of honor to Uzzie. 

17.5: Will Jacks to Steve Smith, OUT! BOWLED! That's a ripper from Jacks! Dishes out a sharp off break that lands around off and spins across into the batter prodigiously off the rough patch. Steve Smith is sucked into the defensive shot on the front foot, but plays all over it as the ball beats the inside edge to rattle the stumps behind. Steve Smith is left stunned at the crease and falls for 12 (12). Australia are 92/3, needing 68 more runs. 

17.4: Will Jacks to Steve Smith, Spins in from off, on a fuller length, Steve Smith gets on the front foot to defend, but the ball goes off the inner half to mid-wicket. 

17.3: Will Jacks to Steve Smith, Too full, around off, Smith drives inside out to cover.

17.2: Will Jacks to Marnus Labuschagne, Straight and short, on the stumps, tucked across through widish mid-wicket for a single.

17.1: Will Jacks to Steve Smith, Good effort by Duckett in the deep, as he saves a run for his side. Full and tossed up outside off. Smith drops to one knee and goes for the sweep towards deep backward square leg, but gets a top edge and the ball slows on its way towards the fence. Duckett sprints to his right from deep square leg and slides to flick the ball in. Has he managed to stop it? The TV umpire takes a look, and the replays confirm a clean save. It will be three runs.

16.6: Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, Stump-to-stump, full, blocked right under the bat. 

16.5: Josh Tongue to Steve Smith, Back of a length, outside off, steered off the back foot to deep point for a single.

16.4: Josh Tongue to Steve Smith, FOUR! Caressed away! On a fuller length, on the fifth stump line. Steve Smith throws his bat at it, plays through the line, and drives it to the left of cover as the ball races away to the boundary. Australia need 73 runs more. 

16.3: Josh Tongue to Steve Smith, Around off and full, Steve Smith gets on the front foot and eases it to extra cover.

16.2: Josh Tongue to Steve Smith, Full and on middle, Smith shuffles in the crease and clips it to mid-wicket again.

16.1: Josh Tongue to Steve Smith, Gets across a long way, and blocks this length ball across to mid-wicket.

15.6: Will Jacks to Marnus Labuschagne, Full and in front of the sticks, Marnus takes a giant stride forward and smothers the spin.

15.5: Will Jacks to Marnus Labuschagne, Spins in from a length, on middle. Marnus Labuschagne hangs back and blocks it straight.

15.4: Will Jacks to Marnus Labuschagne, SIX! Here we go! Jacks serves a genuine half volley, on off, Marnus Labuschagne charges down the track, gets underneath the ball nicely, and smokes it over wide long on for a six. That's a 92-meter biggie over cow corner.

15.3: Will Jacks to Steve Smith, Much fuller than the previous delivery, on middle, Smith flicks it to the right of mid-wicket for a single.

15.2: Will Jacks to Steve Smith, Tossed up, full and spinning in from middle, Steve Smith advances down the track and flicks it between mid on and mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

15.1: Will Jacks to Marnus Labuschagne, Full, on middle, clipped away to deep square leg for a single.

Will Jacks (1-0-1-0) to bowl the next over from the Randwick Stand End.

14.6: Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, Full and on middle and leg, Marnus Labuschagne flicks off the pads to deep backward square leg for a single.

14.5: Josh Tongue to Steve Smith, Straight at the stumps, full and on off, Steve Smith brings his bat in front to defend, but the ball nips in and rolls off the inner half of the bat to deep backward square leg for a single.

Welcome back for the post-Lunch session. The umpires and players have punctually made their way to the middle. The English players spread out on the field and take their spots. Steve Smith, the Aussie skipper, joins Marnus Labuschagne at number 4. Josh Tongue will complete his remaining over. Here we go...

... DAY 5, SESSION 2 ...

With the Aussies in a pole position to seal the series with a dominant 4-1 scoreline, the upcoming session could very well be the final session of the Ashes 2025/26. Coming into the afternoon session, Tongue, who has snagged both the Aussie wickets till now, will expect more support from his bowling colleagues to prevent Australia an easy win. Can the tourists make a few more inroads? We shall find out in the post-Lunch session. Play resumes at 2.10 am GMT. Join us then.

In response to the 160-run target, Australian openers Travis Head and Jake Weatherald strode to the crease with an aggressive intent, sending a clear message that they were looking for an early finish rather than letting the tension linger. Their positive mindset was evident from the outset, as they tore into the English bowling attack, plundering 50-plus runs in just the first 10 overs before perishing. This aggressive approach put the home side in a commanding position, requiring a mere 89 more runs for victory. It was an entertaining and action-packed morning session. 28 overs were bowled, with 111 runs scored, along with 3 wickets to fall. England would be happy that they at least got both the Aussie openers dismissed in a modest run chase. But still, they need eight wickets to pull off an unlikely turnaround from here. 

LUNCH, DAY 5. England, resuming from their overnight score of 302 for 8 with a lead of 119, added a valuable 40 runs this morning to set Australia a target of 160. A crucial partnership blossomed early on as Jacob Bethell placed his faith in Matthew Potts, who batted admirably and didn't disappoint. The pair navigated the early morning session with composure until Mitchell Starc was reintroduced into the attack with the new ball, making the breakthrough by dismissing Bethell for a superb 154. Potts and Tongue cobbled together a little 14-run stand for the final wicket, pushing the target to 160 before Starc claimed his second scalp of the morning to wrap up the innings.

14.4: Josh Tongue to Jake Weatherald, OUT! TOP EDGE AND GONE! Tongue with an important wicket and both the Aussie openers are back in the hut now. A well-directed short ball from Tongue does the trick. It kicks sharply from a length, and with Weatherald pressing forward, he gets himself in a bit of a tangle. He looks to decide on leaving at the very last moment, but he just cannot get his bat out of the way from this rearing delivery. The ball balloons high off the top edge and travels behind towards deep fine leg. Matthew Potts charges in off the ropes and dives forward to take the catch. Another start cut short for Jake Weatherald as he departs for 34 (40). Australia are 71/2, needing 89 more runs. And that will be LUNCH on Day 5!

14.3: Josh Tongue to Jake Weatherald, This one nips back in on a good length, Jake Weatherald fends it to the off side.

14.2: Josh Tongue to Jake Weatherald, Big flash and a miss! For the umpteenth time. Back of a length, nibbling away with bounce, outside off. Jake Weatherald throws his bat at it swinging hard for a cut shot, but misses. 

14.1: Josh Tongue to Jake Weatherald, In-between length, around off, Jake waits back and blocks it to mid on.

13.6: Will Jacks to Jake Weatherald, Serves it full, on off, Jake Weatherald drills it down to long off for a comfortable single.

13.5: Will Jacks to Jake Weatherald, Full and on off, Jake Weatherald carves it inside out to short extra cover.

13.4: Will Jacks to Jake Weatherald, Not too short, around off, steered off the back foot to cover-point.

13.3: Will Jacks to Jake Weatherald, JUST SHORT! Very full from Jacks, dipping in on off, Jake Weatherald gets on the front foot and ends up chipping it off the toe end of the bat to the right of the bowler. Will Jacks dives full length on his follow-through, to his right, but the ball just yorks his right palm and rolls around him.

13.2: Will Jacks to Jake Weatherald, Lands on one of the cracks around off and turns away sharply. Jake watchfully lets it go.

13.1: Will Jacks to Jake Weatherald, Starts with a full ball, sliding in on middle, Jake pushes it back to the bowler.

Spinner replaces spinner as Will Jacks is brought into the attack for Bethell. 

12.6: Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, FOUR! Gracefully driven! Josh feeds in a fuller ball, just outside off, Marnus Labuschagne leans on it with a steady head and effortlessly laces it through the cover gap for a crisp boundary. Australia need 90 more runs. 

12.5: Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, Another one slanted down leg, on a length, Marnus Labuschagne ignores that again.

12.4: Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, Nips in from a length, on off, Marnus Labuschagne hangs back and bunts it down the strip using soft hands.

12.3: Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, Short and at the rib height, angling down leg. Marnus Labuschagne lets it be.

12.2: Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, Straighter line, on middle, blocked straight back to the bowler.

12.1: Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, A bit too straight down leg, on a fractionally fuller length. There is a leg slip in place, in the form of Harry Brook, but Marnus Labuschagne tries to flick it behind square on the leg side by getting far across and misses.

11.6: Jacob Bethell to Jake Weatherald, Goes back in the crease and bunts this length ball back to the bowler.

11.5: Jacob Bethell to Marnus Labuschagne, Touch short, on middle, clipped off the back foot to deep square leg for a single.

11.4: Jacob Bethell to Marnus Labuschagne, In-drifter on a fuller length, at 87.3 kph, Marnus Labuschagne takes a giant stride forward to smother the spin.

11.3: Jacob Bethell to Marnus Labuschagne, Pushed full, on off, Marnus leans forward and eases it to short cover.

11.2: Jacob Bethell to Marnus Labuschagne, On a length, around middle, nudged off the back foot to mid-wicket. 

11.1: Jacob Bethell to Jake Weatherald, Flicked with the spin to the mid-wicket region for a single.

10.6: Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, Fired in at the stumps, full in length. Marnus gets a bit squared up on his back foot defence and the ball rolls off his inside edge to mid-wicket. 

10.5: Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, A rib-tickling bumper, on the leg stump. Marnus Labuschagne gets inside the line and lets it fly behind to Jamie Smith.

10.4: Josh Tongue to Marnus Labuschagne, Full in length, on middle and leg, Marnus Labuschagne gets across and flicks it to the left of deep fine leg for a couple of runs to get off the mark.

Out goes Travis Head with 629 runs to his name in this Ashes series, and in walks Marnus Labuschagne at number 3. 20 more minutes to go for Lunch.

10.3: Josh Tongue to Travis Head, OUT! STRAIGHT UP AND GONE! Josh Tongue provides the first breakthrough for England. Head's aggressive attempt becomes the reason for his downfall. Josh bangs in a sizzling bumper, angling it into the body. The ball rears up awkwardly as Travis Head looks to take on the pull, but the extra bounce forces a thick top edge that loops high over mid-wicket. Brydon Carse tracks back over his left shoulder, adjusts to the swirl, and settles underneath it to complete a fine catch. Head is gone for 29 off 35, and Australia are 62/1, still needing 98 more.

10.2: Josh Tongue to Travis Head, FOUR! Up and over gully! Back of a length, on the fourth stump line, Travis Head uses his wrists to square cut it over the leaping backward point fielder for a boundary. AUSTRALIA NEED 98 RUNS TO WIN!

10.1: Josh Tongue to Jake Weatherald, Slammed hard into the pitch, angling in and around middle, Jake Weatherald rides the bounce and nudges it behind square on the leg side for a single.

Josh Tongue (3-0-12-0) is back as Carse has been given a breather now.

9.6: Jacob Bethell to Travis Head, Outside off, on a fullish length, Travis Head reaches for it and tickles it to the left of the first slip fielder. 

9.5: Jacob Bethell to Travis Head, Lands on the footmark and spins in from off, on a length, Travis Head rocks back and fends it to the off side in front of square.

9.4: Jacob Bethell to Jake Weatherald, Fractionally short, just outside off, steered off the back foot to the point region for a single.

9.3: Jacob Bethell to Jake Weatherald, FOUR! Runs coming thick and fast for Australia! Flat and full, outside off with some bounce and grip into the batter. Jake Weatherald employs the reverse sweep, but it goes off the top edge, into the backward point gap and races away to the fence for four more. Jake Weatherald moves to 30 (26).

9.2: Jacob Bethell to Travis Head, Full and outside off, Head dances down the track and mistimes his heave across the line. The ball goes off the inner half towards long on for a single. 

9.1: Jacob Bethell to Travis Head, Lands it around off, on a shortish length, Travis Head shimmies a little and slaps it to the left of deep point for a couple of runs. 50 UP FOR AUSTRALIA! The hosts need 109 more runs to win.

8.6: Brydon Carse to Jake Weatherald, FOUR! Textbook! That will annoy Carse a lot more. Fullish delivery, around off, Jake Weatherald gets on the front foot and nonchalantly executes the drive between cover and mid off for a cracking boundary.

8.5: Brydon Carse to Travis Head, He hops on to ride this length ball, on off, and drops it in front of short mid-wicket for a quick single.

8.4: Brydon Carse to Travis Head, FOUR! That has pinged off the bat! Much fuller from Carse, outside off. Enough width for someone like Head to deal with. He presses back and punches it crisply to the deep cover fence to collect a boundary.

8.3: Brydon Carse to Travis Head, Nagging length, outside off, played late off the back foot, and on the bounce to the right of the gully fielder.

8.2: Brydon Carse to Travis Head, Rises up from a length, outside off, Travis Head tries the uppercut but misses. 

8.1: Brydon Carse to Travis Head, Banged in short, around off, Travis Head lines up to pull it across, but fails to get the connection.

7.6: Jacob Bethell to Travis Head, Short, outside off, cut away off the back foot to deep point for a single.

7.5: Jacob Bethell to Travis Head, Darted in, full and on off, Head leans to block.

7.4: Jacob Bethell to Travis Head, Touch full, spinning in sharply around off. Travis Head covers the stumps and lets it hit his back pad. A desperate appeal from the English players behind the stumps, but nothing doing.

7.3: Jacob Bethell to Travis Head, Full and outside off, at 90.4 kph. Head gets forward and looks to defend, but gets an inside edge and wears it on the pads. 

7.2: Jacob Bethell to Jake Weatherald, Turns in from off, on a fuller length, forced out to extra cover.

7.1: Jacob Bethell to Jake Weatherald, FOUR! Welcome to the attack, mate! Pitched full and on the stumps, Jake Weatherald reverse sweeps it through backward point for a cracking boundary.

DRINKS BREAK. A perfect time to get a breather as it was getting a lot heated up. Surely, that caught behind appeal and the review against Jake Weatherald would make it to the headlines. The English players are still not pleased with that decision. They are yet to get their first breakthrough and don't have enough runs to play with. Australia are up and about in the chase as they need only 126 runs. Jacob Bethell is summoned into the attack to exploit those rough patches. He impressed the world with the bat earlier, can he produce a breakthrough for his side? Let's see.

6.6: Brydon Carse to Jake Weatherald, Back of a length, on the pads, this is tucked behind square on the leg side for a single. And here we go again, Brydon Carse again walks to the batter and there is a heated exchage of words between Jake and him. 

6.5: Brydon Carse to Jake Weatherald, It's heating up, folks! Weatherald again flashes and misses out on the cut shot on the outside edge and Carse is in the batter's face, giving him a bit of mouthful. 

6.4: Brydon Carse to Jake Weatherald, DRAMA AGAIN! Back of a length, outside off, jagging back in a touch, Jake Weatherald tries to play the square cut again, but the ball whispers past his under edge and carries to Smith behind the wickets. A big appeal for caught behind, but not given. There is a lot of yelling and screaming from the men behind the stumps, including Jamie Smith, but when Stokes asks about the review, there is hardly any confidence. But still, Stokes goes upstairs for a review. There is a little murmur on Snicko when the ball is close to the bat, but after checking several times, the third umpire deems Weatherald not out as the spike is not conclusive enough to overturn the decision. Carse storms towards umpire Ahsan Raza for an animated exchange, but Stokes is quick to step in and pull him away. The England captain then stays back to have a word with Ahsan Raza himself before taking his spot. 

6.3: Brydon Carse to Jake Weatherald, FOUR! A left-hander's delight! That will serve as a real confidence booster for Weatherald. Width outside off, on a hard length, Jake Weatherald hangs back and square cuts it through backward point for a cracking boundary. 

6.2: Brydon Carse to Jake Weatherald, Slanting away from the southpaw, on a good length, nipping away further, Jake Weatherald is sucked into the cover drive. He slashes at it but misses. 

6.1: Brydon Carse to Travis Head, Banged halfway into the pitch, on top of off. Jake Weatherald stands tall and controls the pull shot, and drags it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single.

5.6: Josh Tongue to Jake Weatherald, Overpitched, outside off, Jake fails to carve it away to the off side as the ball breezes past the outside edge.

5.5: Josh Tongue to Jake Weatherald, Slammed hard at 141.5 kph, on the leg stump line, waits back and knocks it across to the leg side, in front of square.

5.4: Josh Tongue to Jake Weatherald, Nagging length, on top of the stumps, Jake Weatherald rocks back and nudges it to the square leg region.

5.3: Josh Tongue to Jake Weatherald, Nip-backer on a fuller length, around the middle stump line, Jake Weatherald presses forward to flick, but gets an inside edge on the front pad as the ball rolls away to point. A half-hearted appeal from the Englishmen, but the umpire stays unmoved. 

5.2: Josh Tongue to Jake Weatherald, Back of a length, skidding through the deck, angling into the batter. Jake Weatherald looks to steer it to the leg side, but it nips back slightly to beat the inside edge. The ball then pings him on the thigh pad before spooning towards the gully fielder who dives in front to take it. 

5.1: Josh Tongue to Travis Head, Touch full, in and around middle at 136 kph, Travis Head hops on the toes and tucks it to widish mid-wicket for an easy single.

4.6: Brydon Carse to Jake Weatherald, Fuller ball, around off, Jake Weatherald leans on it and crisply drives it, but he is unrewarded as it goes straight to the man at extra cover.

4.5: Brydon Carse to Travis Head, A sizzling short ball, outside off, Travis Head hangs back and drags it across with the pull shot towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

4.4: Brydon Carse to Travis Head, SLASH AND A MISS! Not too short and not too full, around off, Travis Head weighs back and attempts to slap that in front of square on the off side, but misses.

4.3: Brydon Carse to Travis Head, BEATEN! Wobbles away from the batter, on a good length, on top of middle. Travis Head's feet go nowhere and he tries to drill it straight down the ground. But the ball lands and deviates away to zip past his outside edge.

4.2: Brydon Carse to Jake Weatherald, Overpitched delivery, wide outside off, Jake Weatherald carves it away by playing the expansive cover drive for a single at deep extra cover.

4.1: Brydon Carse to Travis Head, Singles coming easily for the hosts! Back of a length, around off, Travis Head waits back and knocks it through extra cover for a single. 

3.6: Josh Tongue to Travis Head, Hard length, rising up on top of off, Travis Head gets on the toes and dabs it away to the point region for a single. Australia need 136 runs.

3.5: Josh Tongue to Travis Head, And again! He tries to square cut this length ball, which is fairly outside off. But Tongue puts in an extra effort on it and extracts extra bounce that passes above Head's angled bat. 

3.4: Josh Tongue to Travis Head, BEATEN! Tongue spears one outside off, on a hard length, and it nips away sharply. Travis Head goes fishing at it as he throws the kitchen sink to slash it away, only to get beaten on the outside edge.

3.3: Josh Tongue to Jake Weatherald, Length-delivery, angling into the pads with some bounce. Jake tries to ride the rising ball, and tries to glance it to the leg side, but misses. The ball goes off the thigh pad and rolls in thereabouts of square leg for a leg bye.

3.2: Josh Tongue to Travis Head, On a length, on the leg stump, Head stays back and knocks it to the right of mid on for a quick single.

3.1: Josh Tongue to Jake Weatherald, Short of a good length, around off, with extra bounce. Jake Weatherald hops off and tries to nudge it across to the leg side, but the ball hits the splice and rolls away to the off side for a quick single.

2.6: Brydon Carse to Travis Head, Full and on off, Travis Head defends this one.

2.5: Brydon Carse to Travis Head, Yorker on off. Travis Head keeps it out.

2.4: Brydon Carse to Travis Head, Good length, around off, Travis Head pushes this towards cover for no run.

2.3: Brydon Carse to Jake Weatherald, Good length, wide of off. Jake Weatherald dabs this in front of point and takes a single.

2.2: Brydon Carse to Travis Head, On a length around the pads, Travis Head flicks this through square leg for a single.

2.1: Brydon Carse to Travis Head, Good length on middle and off. Travis Head blocks it out to mid on.

1.6: Josh Tongue to Jake Weatherald, Good length on off, Jake Weatherald defends this off his front foot.

1.5: Josh Tongue to Jake Weatherald, FOUR! A bit too short and way too wide outside off. Jake Weatherald rides the bounce and slaps this through the right of the fielder at extra cover for four runs. 

1.4: Josh Tongue to Jake Weatherald, Good length, spraying down the leg. Jake Weatherald flicks this through backward square leg for two more.

1.3: Josh Tongue to Jake Weatherald, Good length, wide of off, shaping away from the batter. Jake leaves it.

1.2: Josh Tongue to Jake Weatherald, Good length wide of off, Jake cuts this to deep point for a couple.

1.1: Josh Tongue to Jake Weatherald, Good length, around the pads, going down the leg. Jake Weatherald goes for the flick but misses. Loud appel for LBW but the umpire turns it down.

That was some eventful opening over. Josh Tongue to operate from the other end.

0.6: Brydon Carse to Travis Head, FOUR! Boundary down the ground. Full and on the pads, Travis Head gets right on top of the bounce and flicks this through the right of the mid on fielder for four runs.

0.5: Brydon Carse to Travis Head, FOUR! Carse was keen and England decided to review for LBW. The players had seen umpire Ahsan Raza signal leg byes before going upstairs. It was a very full delivery from Tongue. Head stayed in the crease to work the flick, but got a faint leading edge onto his pad and the ball then trickled away to the deep third fence, between the second slip and gully fielders. Snicko confirmed a clear spike when the ball was next to the bat. But, in any case, even without the bat involved, the ball had pitched outside the leg stump, so England would have lost that review either way.

0.4: Brydon Carse to Travis Head, Hard length, into the batter. Travis Head hops up on his toes and blocks it out.

0.3: Brydon Carse to Jake Weatherald, Good length on middle and leg, Jake Weatherald tucks this through mid-wicket and gets off the mark.

0.2: Brydon Carse to Travis Head, Full and on the pads, Travis Head flicks this through square leg for a single.

0.1: Brydon Carse to Travis Head, DRAMA STRAIGHTAWAY! Full toss, swinging into the batter, around leg. Travis Head misses out on the flick. The ball clips the pads of Head and rolls back towards the slips cordon. There is a direct hit from one of the slip fielders towards the striker's end as Head tries to plant his bat inside the popping crease. On-field umpire sends this upstairs. Replay shows that Head's bat was grounded behind the crease when the stumps were hit.