Australia vs England, 5th Test at Sydney, The Ashes, Jan 04 2026 - Ball by Ball Commentary

Australia celebrate a 4-1 Ashes win. They sealed the Ashes in Adelaide 3-0 but have made it an emphatic 4-1 triumph with a win in Sydney. Thanks for your company throughout. Keep an eye on the site for the post series analysis from our crew at the SCG. But on behalf of the entire commentary and scoring team, thanks for joining us throughout and your comments and interaction. See you again soon.

Steven Smith receives the crystal Ashes urn from Steve Waugh. Pat Cummins joins on stage with the entire squad including the injured Nathan Lyon.

2.43pm Presentation Steve Waugh is presenting the awards

Australia stand-in captain Steven Smith: "It was nice to finish on a high note. We know the importance of every Test with the WTC. It was a great wicket out here. Had a bit of everything. Everyone has stood up at different times throughout the series. Anyone at home plays better than away. We've grown up here and we know how to play on them. Usman has had a wonderful career. I played in his debut. He's grown as a human and a player and he's certainly going to be missed in our dressing room."

England captain Ben Stokes: "Leg has been better, has been worse. Won't know until I get home. It was a great game to be involved in. We should have got 100 more and we allowed Australia to get 100 too many in the first innings. Australia are an incredible team. They had individuals who stood up. Full credit to them. But we know we could have done better. Time for reflection is not right now. We've got a long time away to reflect on it. Come June when we next play, hopefully we can put the wrongs right. That knock from Beth was simply incredible. Josh Tongue keeps going from strength to strength. He keeps impressing. We've got some unbelievable talent."

Player of the series and Compton-Miller medallist is Mitchell Starc: "It feels like it's going ok. The body is holding together and it's a great group to be apart of. I'm a little bit tired. Between Scotty, Nes and I we've been told we're not on the younger side of things but we've worked hard as a group. I'm glad I got a few runs at the start of the series because I didn't at the end. The partnership in Brisbane with Scotty was a big one for us."

Player of the match is Travis Head: "It's special. I've always found it tough to bat here. Nice to face the new ball and contribute. I probably hold the couple of hundreds in the first three Tests when everything was on the line. Nice to finish the series well."

Alex Carey on Fox: "That's Ashes cricket. Everyone got tense. I owe Marnus a beer or two tonight. Usman is going to be missed by a great career and a great way to finish."

Usman Khawaja on Fox: "It means a lot. So much has gone into it. The only thing I wanted was a win, as much as I wanted to hit the winning runs. The whole Test match I found it hard to control my emotions. I found it hard to concentrate in the middle. I'm grateful I've had the career I've had. I have full gratitude. It definitely got a bit too tight. You never count your chickens. We got the job done though."

2.29pm Australia close the series 4-1. They made hard work of a chase of 160 with some nervy moments. Tongue bowled well. Jacks produced a beauty. Khawaja played the final innings of his career. But Carey and Green guide them home. The former caps a great series, the latter at least avoids further criticism with a steady hand under pressure. The two sides shake hands. The England team clap the Barmy Army who have been their most consistent performers of the series.

Rob: "Carey hitting the winning runs is very fitting."

Australia need 3 to win

He's OK

Around the wicket

TimH: "Congrats to Starc, Boland and Carse for getting through the five tests as pace bowlers. So many others couldn't handle that workload and they've all worked hard all the way through. Well done big boys. " Carse has blown his left shoe out and keeps bowling while his toes break through the front of the shoe

Over the wicket. Short leg in

Ricky: "What happened to Matt Potts? " Skipper has not used him

Around the wicket

Jacks returns to replace Root. Slip and short leg in. Cover and mid-off up

Short ball field

Edged: "There was no single there. Green trying his best to self-destruct again. Carey adds his bit of farce. " Carey called I think

Liam: "Queue the Benny Hill Music"

Over the wicket

John: "Have the Australian's heard of delaying gratification? Where is the call of 'Wait!'"