Australia completed a commanding 4–1 Ashes series victory on Thursday, clinching the fifth and final Test against England by five wickets to cap a gruelling contest and send retiring opener Usman Khawaja into the sunset on a winning note.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Chasing a modest target of 160 on day five, Australia were made to sweat as England struck five times before lunch. But Cameron Green (22 not out) and Alex Carey (16 not out) calmly steered the hosts home shortly after the break, extinguishing any lingering hopes of a dramatic finish.
The chase began with early intent before wobbling. Travis Head struck a brisk 29 and Jake Weatherald made 34, but both fell as England clawed their way back. Captain Steve Smith was dismissed for 12, while Khawaja, playing the final innings of his 88-Test career, managed just six before being bowled by Josh Tongue after receiving a guard of honour from England’s players.Marnus Labuschagne looked set to settle nerves after being dropped on 20, compiling 37 before a needless run-out briefly lifted English spirits as Australia slipped to 121 for five. It proved only a momentary scare.England’s slim chance had been fashioned earlier through Jacob Bethell’s superb 154, the centrepiece of their second-innings 342. The stylish left-hander batted for 265 balls, striking 15 fours, and was hailed as a glimpse into England’s future even in defeat. Mitchell Starc eventually ended his resistance, with Tongue the last man out as England added only 40 runs to their overnight total.
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The loss rounded off a punishing tour for Ben Stokes’s side, which unravelled early with heavy defeats in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide. A stirring comeback win in Melbourne — England’s first Test victory in Australia in 18 matches — briefly revived belief, but another defeat in Sydney leaves searching questions awaiting them back home amid scrutiny of their “Bazball” approach.Australia’s dominance was all the more impressive given their depleted attack, missing Josh Hazlewood for the entire series and Pat Cummins for all but one Test, while Nathan Lyon played a limited role. Starc finished as the leading wicket-taker with 31 scalps.Off the field, the series was a resounding success, drawing nearly 860,000 fans, including a record 211,032 in Sydney. On it, Australia underlined their supremacy — and gave Khawaja the perfect farewell, finishing his career exactly as he began the series: on the winning side of the Ashes.
