Despite some tense moments, Australia safely achieved the winning target of 160 runs before tea on the final day of the fifth Ashes Test match against England, en route to a five-wicket victory and a 4-1 series victory.
Seamer Josh Tan led England’s rearguard with 3 wins and 42 losses, but Alex Carey, along with Cameron Green, led Australia in goals on Thursday with four goals through the covers.
“We’ve played very well as a team,” said Steve Smith, who replaced Pat Cummins as Australia’s captain for the fourth time in the series.
“We’ve had great performances individually, but other players just stepped up at different moments. I think that’s what makes a really good team. We won those big moments throughout the series.”
England will be credited with making the game a success so far without the tourists being crushed into the Sydney dirt like dead rubber at the famous old ground after the series.
But without the bowling of injured captain Ben Stokes, defending 160 on a good wicket was always going to be a difficult challenge.
Australia’s opener managed to reach the target within 100 before man-of-the-match Travis Head, who scored his third century of the series and underpinned his team’s first innings of 567, hit 29 shots from the tongue to midwicket.
Jake Weatherald followed with 34 points, catching Tan’s bowling again and heading into lunchtime against Australia with 89 points to go.
It has been 15 years and one day since England last won the Ashes series Down Under, winning the final Test of the 2010-11 series at the same ground by conceding 83 runs in one innings.
Khawaja gets emotional and resigns
Usman Khawaja made his debut in this match and got a chance for one last innings before retirement just after lunch when Smith was bowled through the gate with a 12 off Will Jacks.
England’s players cordoned off and welcomed Khawaja into the crease, but Tan’s bowling was not very friendly, with the left-hander continuing to play six balls after facing seven.
Although his farewell didn’t go as planned, Khawaja said it was a memorable occasion after an illustrious 15-year career and over 6,000 runs.
“I was trying to act cool, but it was really difficult to control my emotions during the Test match,” the 39-year-old later admitted.
“This means a lot. All I wanted was a win,” he said.
“I’m grateful for this last minute win and being able to celebrate with my teammates.
After being sent off, the batter stopped in front of the “Thanks Woozi” sign on the field, bowed his head and prayed, and then returned to the pavilion.
Khawaja moved to Australia from Islamabad as a child and fought for the chance to become the country’s first Pakistani-born and first Muslim national team player.
At one point, he was Australia’s only Asian top-flight player and is recognized as a role model who opened doors for others.
“Some people have lost family members, but I’m lucky that my parents are still here. My family, my wife, my children, and another family on the way,” he said.
“I love the game of cricket, but life outside of cricket is more important to me.
“With a little bit of pressure, there were very few dangerous runs, but in the end we got the job done.”
Stark gets the job done
England resumed their batting at 302 for 8, but Mitchell Starc edged Bethel for 154, dealing a huge blow to hopes of making Australia a Test target.
Bethel’s brilliant maiden Test century brought a lot of hope for the future and was essentially the difference between England losing an innings and Australia batting again.
Starc (3-72) finished his innings of 342 with six innings removed, and the left-handed quick was later awarded Player of the Series honors for taking 31 wickets in five Tests.
“I’m still in shape and this is a great group to be a part of,” the 35-year-old said. “I was a little tired, but I got the job done.”
In Sydney, Australia once again dominated in all departments, securing possession of a further 18 months’ worth of urns in just 11 days, just as they had won in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide.
England won the draw for the fourth Test in Melbourne, their first win in Australia since Sydney in 2011, but the future of their ‘buzz ball’ style of play must be in doubt after a tour that started with high hopes ended in a 4-1 defeat.
“We haven’t won the big series that we want to win,” Stokes said.
“When trends continue to occur…that’s when you need to go back to the drawing board and make adjustments.”
