Australia has completed a convincing 4–1 Ashes series victory over England after winning the fifth and final Test by five wickets, bringing a bruising tour for the visitors to a close.
The match ended shortly after lunch on day five, with Alex Carey calmly seeing Australia home in what proved to be a nervier chase than the target suggested.
For England supporters watching from the UK, the final result summed up the series: flashes of promise, moments of drama, but ultimately, Australia were stronger when it mattered most.
How did the final Test reach its conclusion?
Australia were set a target of 160 runs, a total that looked manageable but came with pressure after England fought hard in their second innings.
The hosts wobbled early, losing wickets at regular intervals, and the Sydney crowd fell noticeably quieter as the score moved past 100 with five batters dismissed.
However, any serious hopes of a dramatic England comeback faded once Cameron Green and Alex Carey settled in.
Green played positively, while Carey focused on rotating the strike and shutting down England’s bowlers. Australia reached the target without further loss, finishing with Carey unbeaten on 16.
Why was Alex Carey’s contribution more important than it looks?
On paper, Carey’s unbeaten 16 may appear modest, but his value went far beyond the numbers. Throughout the series, Carey has repeatedly stepped in during tense moments, offering composure rather than aggression.
In this final Test, England were still very much in the contest when Australia slipped to 121 for five. Carey’s calm presence removed the uncertainty.
Alex Carey scores the winning runs as Australia claims a 4-1 series win.#Ashes | #PlayoftheDay | @nrmainsurance pic.twitter.com/SfFwXWibrn
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 8, 2026
He resisted risky shots, communicated clearly with Green, and ensured the chase did not drift into panic.
For UK audiences used to seeing dramatic Ashes test finishes, Carey’s role was a reminder that matches are often won by control, not fireworks.
Which moments gave England brief hope?
England’s bowlers did manage to inject some late drama. Travis Head fell for 29 after an attacking start, followed soon after by Jake Weatherald on 34.
Captain Steve Smith was dismissed cheaply, and there was genuine noise in the ground when Marnus Labuschagne ran himself out for 37 after being dropped earlier.
Usman Khawaja’s dismissal for six carried emotional weight. England formed a guard of honour as he walked out for the final time, marking the end of his 88-Test career.
His departure briefly lifted England’s belief, but it proved to be their last meaningful opening.
How did England set Australia their target?
England were bowled out for 342 in their second innings, having resumed day five with hopes of stretching their lead further.
The innings was built almost entirely around Jacob Bethell, whose 154 was the standout knock of the match and one of the brightest moments of England’s tour.
They added only 40 runs before being dismissed, largely due to Australia’s disciplined bowling.
The standout performance came from Jacob Bethell, whose innings of 154 was one of the finest by an England batter on the tour.
Facing 265 balls, Bethell showed patience and maturity, traits England have often lacked in Australia. His dismissal, edging Mitchell Starc to Alex Carey behind the stumps, finally ended England’s resistance.
What does this defeat say about England’s Ashes campaign?
England arrived in Australia confident, openly suggesting the hosts had their weakest side in years. That confidence quickly turned into pressure after heavy defeats in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide.
Questions followed about preparation, discipline, and whether the ultra-aggressive “Bazball” approach was suited to Australian conditions.
The dramatic win in Melbourne briefly changed the narrative and restored pride, but the final defeat in Sydney means England returns home with just one Test win from the series.
For UK fans, attention will now turn to the direction of the team under Ben Stokes and coach Brendon McCullum, with growing debate over whether tactical flexibility is being sacrificed for ideology.
How impressive was Australia’s series win overall?
Australia’s achievement is made more notable by the players they were missing. Josh Hazlewood did not feature at all, Pat Cummins played only once, and Nathan Lyon had a limited impact.
Despite this, Australia controlled the series through depth, consistency, and strong lower-order contributions, with Carey again central to that balance.
The series was also a commercial and sporting success, attracting nearly 860,000 spectators, including a record 211,032 fans at the Sydney Test, underlining the enduring appeal of the Ashes.
