Mitchell Starc takes 31 wickets as Australia seal series victory with five-wicket win at Sydney
Australia closed the Ashes in emphatic fashion at the Sydney Cricket Ground, completing a five wicket win in the fifth Test to seal the series 4–1 against England. A disciplined chase under pressure, led by calm finishes from Alex Carey and Cameron Green, capped a campaign defined by control and consistency.
With Mitchell Starc producing a series for the ages and Australia finishing the job before tea on day five, the final Test served as a fitting conclusion to a largely one-sided Ashes contest.
Carey and Green Steady Australia in Low Chase
Australia defeated England by five wickets on Wednesday at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The victory sealed the Ashes series 4 to 1 in Australia’s favor. Alex Carey scored the winning runs with a boundary through extra cover at around 2:30 PM local time.
Australia chased a target of 160 runs in their second innings. They finished at 161 for 5. England had scored 384 and 342 in their two innings. Australia posted 567 and 161 for 5. The match concluded before tea on the fifth day.
Mitchell Starc was named Player of the Series. The left-arm fast bowler took 31 wickets across the five Tests at an average of 19. He dismissed Jacob Bethell for 154 and Josh Tongue for 6 to end England’s second innings on Wednesday morning. His series strike rate of 29.6 was the best in Ashes history.
Alex Carey and Cameron Green added 39 runs together in the final partnership. Carey remained unbeaten on 16 while Green finished on 22. Australia slipped to 121 for 5 before the pair steadied the chase. Josh Tongue took 3 for 42 in Australia’s second innings.
Travis Head scored 29 in the second innings before being caught off Tongue. Head finished the series with 629 runs at an average of 69.2. He scored three centuries during the series.
England’s Series Collapse
England won only one Test in the series. Their victory came in Melbourne, their first Test win in Australia since 2011. Ben Stokes captained England despite suffering a groin injury while bowling on Day 4. He did not bowl on the final day.
Jacob Bethell’s 154 in England’s second innings was a highlight for the visitors. Josh Tongue took 18 wickets across the final three Tests. However, England dropped 18 catches across the series and showed batting inconsistency throughout.
Usman Khawaja played his final Test match, scoring 6 before being bowled by Josh Tongue. England gave him a guard of honour. The 39-year-old retires with over 6,000 Test runs as Australia’s first Pakistan-born and Muslim Test cricketer.
Australia will hold the Ashes urn until their next tour of England in 2027. Steve Smith captained Australia for most of the series after Pat Cummins missed matches due to injury.
For more sports news and updates, follow Jeetwinsports.
