As the sun rises over the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground on January 4, 2026, cricket fans around the world are gearing up for the Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test. This isn’t just another match—it’s the dramatic conclusion to a rollercoaster 2025-26 Ashes series where Australia has already clinched the urn with a 3-1 lead. Yet, the stakes remain sky-high. Can England salvage pride with back-to-back wins on Australian soil for the first time in over a decade? Or will the hosts deliver a resounding 4-1 finish to send off a legend in style? With World Test Championship points on the line and Usman Khawaja’s emotional farewell, this Sydney showdown promises fireworks.
In this comprehensive preview and analysis, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test. From the series recap to pitch insights, team news, key players, stats, and our bold predictions, we’ve got you covered. Whether you’re a die-hard Aussie supporter, a hopeful Pom, or just a cricket enthusiast tuning in, let’s dive into what makes this Test unmissable.
The Ashes 2025-26 Series So Far: A Tale of Dominance and Drama
The 2025-26 Ashes started with Australia flexing their muscles at home. Under stand-in captain Steve Smith—filling in after Pat Cummins’ ongoing injury woes—the Aussies stormed to a 3-0 lead. The first Test in Perth saw Australia win by eight wickets, thanks to Mitchell Starc’s fiery bowling and Travis Head’s explosive century. Brisbane’s pink-ball second Test followed suit, another eight-wicket victory where Scott Boland’s seam mastery shone. Adelaide’s third Test was a gritty 82-run triumph, with Marnus Labuschagne anchoring the batting.
But then came the twist. The fourth Test at Melbourne’s MCG turned into a two-day thriller on a pitch later rated “unsatisfactory” by the ICC. England, chasing 175, clinched a four-wicket win in the final hour, snapping a 15-year drought for a Test victory Down Under. Josh Tongue’s 5-45 and Harry Brook’s gutsy knocks were highlights, but it was Ben Stokes’ leadership that sparked the comeback. Now, at 3-1, Australia holds the Ashes, but England eyes a 3-2 moral victory.
This series has been a mix of brilliance and blunders. Australia’s pace attack, led by Starc (over 50 wickets in 2025 alone), has been relentless, but their batting has shown cracks—especially Cameron Green’s form slump. England, plagued by injuries to Gus Atkinson, Jofra Archer, and Mark Wood, has relied on youth like Jacob Bethell and Tongue. The rapid MCG finish cost Cricket Australia millions in refunds, spotlighting pitch preparation debates.
Beyond the scores, personal stories add depth. Usman Khawaja, the 39-year-old opener, announced his retirement on January 2, 2026, making this his 88th and final Test. Starting his career at the SCG in 2011, Khawaja’s journey—from Pakistan-born migrant to Aussie icon—includes twin centuries here in 2022. “The fairy tale is already complete,” he said, reflecting on his resilience through drops and recalls.
World Test Championship (WTC) implications loom large. Australia tops the table with six wins from seven, but a loss could drop them behind New Zealand. England, seventh, needs a win to stay in the 2027 final hunt. As Stokes noted, “Every game’s important now with the Test Championship.”
What does a 3-2 result mean for England? It could rebuild confidence after early humiliations, validating “Bazball” under scrutiny. For Australia, 4-1 would affirm their dominance, masking transitional concerns with an aging squad. As we head to Sydney, questions swirl: Will the green pitch favor pace again? Can Khawaja bow out with a bang? This Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test could redefine legacies.
Check out ESPNcricinfo’s series hub for live updates, or Cricket Australia’s official site for video highlights.
Match Details and Sydney Cricket Ground Guide
The Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test kicks off at 10:30 AM AEDT on January 4, 2026, running until January 8 if needed. Session times are straightforward: first from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, second 1:10 PM to 3:10 PM, and third 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM, with an extra 30 minutes for overs if required. Global fans, note the GMT offset—11:30 PM previous day start.
Broadcast options abound. In Australia, catch it free on Channel Seven or 7plus, or stream via Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Radio lovers can tune into ABC, Triple M, or SEN, with zero-latency streams on the CA Live app. Internationally, check Star Sports in India, Sky Sports in the UK, or ESPN in the US. For a full global guide, visit Cricket Australia’s broadcast page.
Tickets? Days 1-3 sold out, but Day 4 availability lingers—grab them via Ticketek or cricket.com.au. Day 5 often opens as general admission if play extends.
Now, the venue: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), a 48,000-capacity fortress in Moore Park. Known for its heritage-listed Members’ Stand and modern Bradman Stand, it hosts New South Wales cricket and Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash. Ends are Paddington and Randwick, with the pitch square favoring spin historically but evolving.
The SCG’s Ashes legacy is rich. Australia boasts 62 wins from 113 Tests here, losing just twice this century—to England in dead rubbers (2003, 2011). Memorable moments include Steve Waugh’s last-ball century in 2003, Shane Warne’s farewell in 2007, and England’s 2011 series win. Six of the last 11 SCG Tests drew, often due to rain or flat pitches.
Recent stats paint a pace-friendly picture. From 2015-present:
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Matches | 11 |
| Australia Wins/Losses/Draws | 5/0/6 |
| Average 1st Innings Total | 374 |
| Highest Total | 7d-649 (Aus vs Eng, 2018) |
| Pace Wickets/Average/Strike Rate | 186/34.61/66.6 |
| Spin Wickets/Average/Strike Rate | 95/47.54/86.8 |
| Toss: Bat First % (Win %) | 100% (18%) |
England’s SCG record: 22 wins, 27 losses, 8 draws from 57 visits. Recent trips? Blowouts, but they’ve won two of six this century. As touring sides go, it’s their best Aussie venue.
For internal links on our blog, see our previous Ashes coverage.
This Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test at SCG could add another chapter to its storied history.
Pitch Report, Weather Forecast, and Toss Prediction
The pitch for the Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test has everyone talking. Curator Adam Lewis set the grass at 6mm—shorter than last year’s 7mm against India but conservative after the MCG fiasco. As of January 3, 2026, it sports a “violent shade of green,” per reports, suggesting early seam movement and bounce. Ben Stokes admitted, “We haven’t got a clue what the pitch will do,” highlighting uncertainty.
Historically, SCG aids spin later, but recent years favor pace—quicks took all but one wicket in last year’s Border-Gavaskar finale. This summer, Nathan Lyon grabbed four in a Shield match here, and leg-spinners shone in another. Dew? Minimal in this day Test. Favorable for pacers Days 1-2, batsmen mid-match, spinners Days 4-5 if it wears.
Weather could disrupt. Forecast for Sydney January 4-8, 2026:
| Day | Conditions | High/Low (°C) | Rain Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 4 (Day 1) | Showers, possible storms | 29/19 | 60-70%, 0-8mm |
| Jan 5 (Day 2) | Showers likely | 28/19 | 50%, lower volume |
| Jan 6 (Day 3) | Partly cloudy | 30/20 | Low |
| Jan 7 (Day 4) | Sunny | 32/21 | Minimal |
| Jan 8 (Day 5) | Clear | 31/20 | None |
Early rain might delay starts, but settled weather later favors a result. January averages 3-8 rainy days, highs 29°C.
Toss prediction: With the green tinge, captains might bowl first—buckling SCG’s 91% bat-first trend (34% win rate). Impact? Bowling first exploits moisture; batting risks early collapses. Smith hinted at flexibility, but history says toss winner often bats.
For more on pitches, Cricinfo’s venue stats.
This setup could make the Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test a bowler’s paradise.
Squad Analysis and Probable Playing XI
Australia named an unchanged 15-man squad on January 1, 2026, backing their group despite the MCG loss. Steve Smith captains, with Usman Khawaja confirmed for his farewell. Key dilemma: Cameron Green’s spot. Averaging under 20 this series without a fifty, he’s under fire. Beau Webster, impressive in Shield (avg 35 bat, 23 bowl), rejoins after BBL. Coach Andrew McDonald said, “We’ve got a quality player waiting.”
Bowling: Pace trio Starc, Boland, Neser likely, but Todd Murphy eyes a spin inclusion on home turf. Jhye Richardson’s MCG return was underwhelming. No Cummins, Hazlewood, or Lyon due to injuries.
Australia Squad: Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster.
Probable XI: Weatherald, Head, Labuschagne, Smith (c), Khawaja, Carey (wk), Green/Webster, Neser, Starc, Murphy/Richardson, Boland. If spin-friendly, Murphy in; else, all-pace.
England announced a 12-man squad on January 2, stretched by injuries. Gus Atkinson (hamstring) out, joining Archer and Wood. Matthew Potts, with 36 wickets at 29 from 10 Tests, replaces him. Shoaib Bashir in mix for spin if pitch turns. Jacob Bethell holds No.3 after MCG heroics. Ollie Pope dropped; Will Jacks retains utility role.
England Squad: Ben Stokes (c), Harry Brook (vc), Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith (wk), Josh Tongue.
Probable XI: Crawley, Duckett, Bethell, Root, Brook, Stokes (c), Smith (wk), Jacks, Carse, Potts, Tongue. Bashir possible if spin expected.
Compared: Australia’s batting depth edges England’s, but the visitors’ pace youth (Tongue, Carse) could exploit green. Weaknesses? Aus top-order fragility; Eng injury-hit attack.
This Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test lineup promises intensity.
Players to Watch and Key Matchups
In the Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test, individual brilliance could swing the result. Let’s spotlight 10 stars and epic battles.
First, Usman Khawaja (Aus): The retiring legend wants a SCG swansong. With 82 and 40 in Adelaide, and twin tons here in 2022 vs England, expect emotion-fueled runs. Battle: vs Josh Tongue—Khawaja’s technique against Tongue’s pace (33 wickets at 4.3 econ this series) will be crucial.
Mitchell Starc (Aus): 2025’s top wicket-taker (55 at 17.3 avg), he’s chasing 30 Ashes wickets this series (26 so far). His swing on green pitches is lethal. Key matchup: vs Joe Root—Starc has dismissed Root multiple times; Root’s 2,662 Ashes runs at 39.73 hang in balance.
Harry Brook (Eng): The vice-captain’s MCG 50+ across innings showed aggression. With 771 runs at 45.35 recently, he’s England’s x-factor. Battle: vs Scott Boland—Brook’s charge vs Boland’s accuracy (22 wickets at 3.26 econ) could define innings.
Josh Tongue (Eng): From sidelines to star, his 5-45 at MCG and 33 wickets at 37.87 SR make him pivotal. On green SCG, watch him. Matchup: vs Steve Smith—Smith’s 3,553 Ashes runs at 55.51 vs Tongue’s bounce.
Marnus Labuschagne (Aus): Needing redemption after series avg 24.85, his early Shield form hints at a big score. Battle: vs Ben Stokes—Labuschagne’s patience vs Stokes’ allround threat (33 wickets at 3.39 econ).
Joe Root (Eng): Potentially his last Aussie Test, Root’s 805 recent runs at 50.31 demand respect. Key: vs Todd Murphy—if selected, Root’s spin play vs young offie.
Travis Head (Aus): Series top-scorer (437 runs at 78.84 SR), his counter-attacks thrill. Battle: vs Brydon Carse—Head’s pulls vs Carse’s bounce.
Ben Stokes (Eng): Captain fantastic, his leadership sparked MCG win. With 54 wickets at 34.79, watch allround impact. Matchup: vs Alex Carey—Stokes’ aggression vs Carey’s keeping (44 catches in 2025).
Cameron Green (Aus): Under pressure, but his allround potential (batting avg 49.73 recently) could shine if retained. Battle: vs Will Jacks—Green’s seam vs Jacks’ offspin.
Jacob Bethell (Eng): The young gun’s 40 at MCG sealed recall. His batting allround skills add depth.
These duels could make the Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test legendary. For videos, check YouTube highlights.
Head-to-Head Records and Recent Form
The Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test draws on a rivalry spanning 143 years. Overall Ashes: Australia 155 wins, England 113, 97 draws. At SCG: Australia 27 wins, England 22, 8 draws.
Last 10 years: England 8 wins, Australia 7, 4 draws. In Australia since 2015: Australia 11-1, 2 draws.
Series stats so far:
| Category | Australia | England |
|---|---|---|
| Wins | 3 | 1 |
| Top Run-Scorer | Travis Head (437 at 41 avg) | Joe Root (805 at 50.31) |
| Top Wicket-Taker | Mitchell Starc (26+ at 17.42) | Josh Tongue (33 at 37.87 SR) |
| Batting Dot Ball % | – | 66.9% (best in 2025) |
| Bowling Average | 20.9 (best in 2025) | – |
Recent form (last 10 Tests, most recent first):
| Team | Form |
|---|---|
| Australia | L W W W W W W L W W |
| England | W L L L L D W L W W |
Trivia: England’s MCG win snapped Australia’s six-Test streak. Starc’s 55 wickets in 2025 is 12 more than any other. Jamie Smith’s 94.4% catch rate leads keepers.
For full records, visit Wisden.
This backdrop sets the stage for the Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test.
World Test Championship Stakes and Bigger Picture
The Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test isn’t urn-only—WTC points matter. As of January 3, 2026:
| Position | Team | PCT | Matches | Won | Lost | Drawn | Penalty | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Australia | 85.71 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 72 |
| 2 | New Zealand | 77.78 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 28 |
| 3 | South Africa | 75.00 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 36 |
| 4 | Sri Lanka | 66.67 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 |
| 5 | Pakistan | 50.00 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| 6 | India | 48.15 | 9 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 52 |
| 7 | England | 35.19 | 9 | 3 | 5 | 1 | -2 | 38 |
| 8 | Bangladesh | 16.67 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 9 | West Indies | 4.17 | 8 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
A win gives 12 points; draw 4. Australia risks dropping to third with a loss. England could climb but remains outsiders for the 2027 final in England.
Bigger picture: Australia’s transition looms—Khawaja gone, Starc/Boland nearing 40 by 2027. England’s Bazball faces tweaks; Stokes wants to continue, backing McCullum. A 3-2 could boost morale ahead of home series.
ICC WTC page for updates.
Match Prediction and Final Thoughts
Predicting the Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test? Australia favorites at 60% win chance, draw 25%, England 15%. Their SCG dominance, fresh pace, and home crowd edge them. Expect a 4-1 series: Australia wins by 150 runs or 6 wickets.
Scoreline scenarios: If rain hits early, draw possible. Otherwise, Australia 350+ first innings, England struggles on green deck.
Khawaja’s farewell adds heart—win or lose, celebrate his legacy. Fans, share your predictions in comments!
This Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test caps an unforgettable series—tune in!
FAQs: Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test 2025-26
- When and where is the Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test 2025-26 played?
The 5th Ashes Test 2025-26 starts on January 4-8, 2026, at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Play begins at 10:30 AM AEDT daily, marking Usman Khawaja’s farewell Test in this iconic Ashes finale. - Who won the toss in the Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test?
England captain Ben Stokes won the toss and elected to bat first in the SCG Ashes Test. This surprised many on a green pitch, as Australia opted for an all-pace attack without a specialist spinner—a rare move in 140 years at the venue. - What is the current score on Day 1 of the Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test?
On Day 1, bad light and rain stopped play early with England at 211-3. Joe Root (72) and Harry Brook (78) built a 150+ partnership after early wickets, dominating Australia’s pace bowlers. - Why is the Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test special for Usman Khawaja?
This SCG Ashes Test is Usman Khawaja’s retirement match—his 88th Test. The opener, who debuted here in 2011, aims for a strong finish in his farewell, adding emotional depth to the Sydney Test. - What is the pitch report for the 5th Ashes Test 2025-26 at SCG?
The SCG pitch shows significant grass cover (mowed to 6mm), offering early seam movement for pacers. It may flatten later, but Australia’s all-seam attack (Starc, Boland, Webster) exploited it initially before Root and Brook countered. - What is the weather forecast for the Australia vs England Sydney Test?
Day 1 faced showers, thunder, and bad light interruptions. Days 2-5 look better with partly cloudy skies and highs of 28-32°C, though early rain could affect play in this decisive Ashes clash. - Who are the key players to watch in the Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test?
Watch Mitchell Starc (chasing series records), Harry Brook (aggressive rebuilding), Joe Root (steady anchor), and Scott Boland for Australia. Debutant Beau Webster and Josh Tongue add intrigue in this high-stakes SCG battle. - What is the series score before the 5th Ashes Test 2025-26?
Australia leads 3-1, having retained the Ashes after wins in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide. England’s MCG victory kept hopes alive for a 3-2 finish, with WTC points still crucial. - Did Australia include a spinner in the 5th Ashes Test playing XI?
No—Australia selected an all-pace lineup (Starc, Boland, Neser/Webster), the first without a specialist spinner at SCG since 1887-88. This bold choice reflects the seaming conditions. - What are the probable playing XIs for the Australia vs England 5th Ashes Test?
Australia: Weatherald, Khawaja, Labuschagne, Smith (c), Head, Carey (wk), Green/Webster, Neser, Starc, Richardson, Boland (all-pace).
England: Crawley, Duckett, Bethell, Root, Brook, Stokes (c), Smith (wk), Jacks, Carse, Potts, Tongue.