Ashes 2025-26 [WATCH]: Australia veteran Usman Khawaja receives a guard of honor during his farewell match as emotions run high on day five of the Sydney Test

Thth Ashes Series 2025-26 reached a poignant and dramatic conclusion on January 8, 2026 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). While Australia had already secured the urn, the final day of the fifth Test was filled with emotion as it marked the international retirement of the veteran opener Usman Khawaja. Chasing a tricky target of 160 on a deteriorating surface, Australia overcame a spirited English fightback to secure a five-wicket victory, sealing the series with a final score of 4-1. Despite the defeat, England found a glimmer of hope in the emergence of youngster Jacob Bethell, whose marathon second innings kept the series going until the final afternoon in Sydney.

A farewell worthy of a legend: Usman Khawaja’s guard of honor

The final morning was defined by a stirring display of sportsmanship as the England team formed a guard of honor for Usman Khawaja. As the 39-year-old came out to bat for the final time in his Baggy Green, the SCG gave the local hero a standing ovation. In a career that began on this ground in 2011, Khawaja’s impact as Australia’s first Muslim cricketer was recognized by the captain. Ben Stokeswho personally shook his hand before play resumed. Although his final innings was brief, he was dismissed for six by Josh tongue after cutting his stumps, the veteran left the field to another raucous welcome, capping an 88-Test journey marked by resilience and grace.

Here is the video:

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Australia’s dominance and England’s courage in the Ashes 2025-26

The series as a whole reflected Australia’s relentless clinical advantage, although England’s late series resurgence prevented a total whitewash. After dominant victories in Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth, the Australians looked untouchable before a chaotic two-day shootout in Melbourne gave England a four-wicket consolation victory. The final test in Sydney summed up the changing dynamics: Joe Racinethe first rounds of 160 and Jacob Bethell‘s heroic 154 in the second innings put Australia under immense pressure. However, the hosts’ depth proved too much, with Travis Head (player of the match for his first innings of 163) and Mitchell Starc (player of the series with 31 wickets) consistently grabbing the decisive moments.

Earlier, speaking to TNT Sports after Day 4, Sir Alastair Cook predicted that a target of 160 was ‘defendant capable’ if England could strike early and pull out Travis head. His prophecy almost came true as Josh tongue overtook the Australian lead on day five, reducing the hosts to 92/3 and eventually 121/5. While England managed to dismiss Head (29) and Khawaja (6) cheaply, an unbeaten 40-run partnership between Alex Carey And Cameron Green finally calmed the nerves. Carey hit the winning runs against Will Jacks, ensuring that although the series ended 4-1, the final day in Sydney was a fitting tribute to both a retired legend and a competitive Ashes summer.

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