AUS vs ENG 5th Test: Australia win Sydney Test by 5 wickets, clinch series 4–1

Canberra (The Uttam Hindu): Australia secured the Ashes series against England with a 4–1 margin after winning the fifth and final Test by five wickets in Sydney. Chasing a modest target of 160 runs, the hosts completed the task on the final day, losing five wickets to seal the match and the series.

England, batting first in the Sydney Test, scored 384 runs in their first innings. Joe Root was the top scorer with a fine knock of 160 runs. In reply, Australia posted a commanding 567 runs in their first innings. Travis Head led the charge with 163 runs, while Steve Smith added 138, giving Australia a substantial first-innings lead of 183 runs.

In their second innings, England managed 342 runs, with Jacob Bethell playing a standout role by scoring his maiden Test century. Bethell made 154 runs, helping England set Australia a target of 160 runs for victory. Australia chased down the target in 31.2 overs to register a comfortable win.

Australia had already secured the Ashes by winning the first three Tests of the series. They were aiming for a clean sweep, but England broke that streak with a four-wicket victory in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. Australia then bounced back in the Sydney Test to finish the series on a winning note.

In the opening Test at Perth, Australia won by eight wickets. They repeated the margin in the second Test, while the third Test was won by 82 runs. Travis Head, who scored a total of 192 runs across both innings in the Sydney Test, was named Player of the Match. Mitchell Starc received the Player of the Series award after taking the highest number of wickets, finishing with 31 wickets in the five-Test series.