The Ashes 2025-26 series It came to a bitter and dramatic conclusion on 8 January 2026 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). while Australia had already secured the urn, the final day of the fifth Test was heavy with emotion as it marked the veteran opener’s international retirement. Osman Khawaja. Chasing a tough target of 160 on a deteriorating surface, Australia overcame a strong English fightback to secure a five-wicket win and wrap up the series by an emphatic 4-1. Despite the defeat, England found a silver lining in the emergence of youngster Jacob Bethell, whose marathon second innings saw the series go down to the final afternoon in Sydney.
A farewell befitting a legend: Usman Khawaja’s guard of honour
The morning of the final was defined by an impressive display of sportsmanship as the England team organized a guard of honor for Usman Khawaja. When the 39-year-old went out to bat for the last time at the Baggy Green, the SCG received a standing ovation for the local hero. Khawaja’s impact as Australia’s first Muslim Test cricketer in a career that began on this very ground in 2011 was acknowledged by the captain. Ben Stokespersonally shook hands before continuing the game. His last innings was dismissed for a six, albeit a short one Josh Dil after clipping his stumps, the veteran walked off the field to another raucous reception, ending his 88-Test journey marked by poise and grace.
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Australia’s dominance and England’s dominance in the Ashes in 2025-26
Although England’s late-series revival prevented a complete whitewash, the series as a whole reflected Australia’s relentless clinical dominance. After dominant wins in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, the Australians looked untouchable ahead of a chaotic, two-day shootout in Melbourne that handed England a four-wicket consolation victory. The last Test in Sydney involved a changing dynamic: Joe Rootfirst shots 160 and Jacob Bethell‘s heroic 154 in the second innings put Australia under huge pressure. However, the hosts’ depth proved too strong, with Travis Head (Man of the Match 163 on his maiden innings) and Mitchell Starc (Player of the Series with 31 wickets) picking up crucial moments in quick succession.
Earlier, speaking to TNT Sports after Day 4, Sir Alastair Cook He estimated that the target was 160 ‘defensible’ If only England could strike early Head of Travis. His prophecy almost came true Josh Dil Broke Australia’s top order on Day 5, reducing the hosts to 92/3 and eventually 121/5. An unbeaten 40-run partnership between Head (29) and Khawaja (6) as England manage to get rid of them cheaply Alex Carey and Cameron Green calmed the nerves in the end. Carey ensured the final day in Sydney was a fitting tribute to both the retired legend and a competitive Ashes summer, despite the series ending 4-1, with Will Jacks hitting the winning run.
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