The fifth and final Test of the 2025-26 Ashes is scheduled to get underway on Sunday, January 4, at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney. Australia leads the series by 3–1.
England handed Australia their first home Ashes Test defeat in 15 years in the 4th Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), winning by four wickets. The Ashes trophy was retained by the Aussies earlier in the series, but England aims to finish the series on a high note with a win at the SCG.
The SCG Test also carries significant emotion, as veteran Australian opener Usman Khawaja will retire from Test cricket after this match.
Ashes Series So Far: Quick Recap
Australia won the opening Test match at Perth Stadium in just two days, dominating England in a quick finish that set the tone for the series. Australia continued the pressure with another strong performance to win at Gabba. England put up some fight (including notable efforts with the bat), but it was not enough to avoid the eight-wicket defeat. Australia sealed an 82-run victory in the third Test match at Adelaide to retain the series by 3-0 in just 11 days and make the series unassailable.
England finally broke their long drought on Australian soil at MCG by four wickets. They avoided a whitewash by winning this Test—the first Test win in Australia in 15 years.
For Australia, Travis Head has been prolific with the bat, leading run scoring in the series with 437 runs. Zak Crawley is the highest run scorer for England in the series with 256 runs. Mitchell Starc has spearheaded the bowling attack with the most wickets in the series so far. He scalped 26 wickets at an average of 17.4. For England, Brydon Carse has been among the most successful in their attack.
Australia vs England: Head-to-Head at SCG
Australia and England have locked horns against each other in 57 Test matches at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The Aussies have won 27 games, while the English team has won 22. A total of 8 games have been drawn. When both teams last met at SCG in 2022, the match ended in a draw. Before that, Australia last won here in 2018, whereas England last won here in 2011.
Probably XI for Australia and England
England has already announced its 12-member squad for the final match, while Australia has announced its 15-member team.
Australia’s predicted playing 11 for the fifth Test:
Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (C), Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey (WK), Cameron Green, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Todd Murphy, and Scott Boland
England’s predicted playing 11 for the fifth Test:
Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Will Jacks, Brydon Carse, Matthew Potts, and Josh Tongue.
