Australia emphatically retained the Ashes urn on Thursday, sealing a 4-1 series victory over England with a hard-fought five-wicket win in the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
Nervy Chase Culminates in Series Victory
The final day in Sydney provided a tense conclusion to the summer. Chasing a modest target of 160, the Australian batting order stuttered as England's bowlers fought back, taking five wickets. However, the hosts' depth proved decisive. Cameron Green and Alex Carey steadied the ship, partnering to hit the winning runs and secure the result. The victory wrapped up a dominant series performance, having taken an unassailable 3-0 lead earlier in Adelaide.
Celebrations and Farewells on the SCG Outfield
Emotions ran high as captain Pat Cummins and Steve Smith lifted the crystal urn aloft, surrounded by jubilant teammates. The post-match scenes were a mix of raucous celebration and poignant farewell. Retiring batsman Usman Khawaja was honoured by grounds staff, who painted 'Thanks Uzzie' on the pitch. The team linked arms around the message for a heartfelt rendition of 'Under The Southern Cross I Stand'.
Khawaja, who retires with 62,229 runs from 88 Tests, was joined on the field by his family. "I found it really hard to control my emotions," the 39-year-old admitted. "I'm so grateful to have the career I've had." Injured skipper Pat Cummins was also pictured with his partner Becky and their children, enjoying the family-oriented celebrations.
Ronball, Revelry, and a Sledge for Smith
The Australian team's unique character shone through in their celebrations. Players including Jake Weatherald and Cameron Green sported 'Ronball' t-shirts, a playful dig at England's 'Bazball' approach featuring a cartoon of coach Andrew McDonald. The group later retreated to a bar at the SCG, where they famously filled the Ashes urn itself with beer.
Series star Travis Head, who was top run-scorer, hinted that teammate Beau 'Slug' Webster would lead the Sydney festivities. Head also dished up a light-hearted sledge for England's Jamie Smith, suggesting they "compare whose was worse" after both suffered poor dismissals in the match. Australia have now held the Ashes urn consistently since January 2017, cementing their recent dominance in the historic rivalry.
