Australia vs England Ashes Test Preview: Fifth Match at SCG - Match Facts, Teams & Predictions (2026)

Table of Contents

Match Essentials Session Breakdown for the Fifth Test Complete Series Timeline Team Rosters Potential Starting Lineups Key Players to Keep an Eye On Insights into the Venue Recent Performance Overview World Test Championship Standings Quick Stats 2025-26 NRMA Insurance Men's Ashes Series Recap References

Get ready for the electrifying showdown that could etch names in cricket history forever—Australia versus England in the deciding fifth Ashes Test, where reputations are on the line even as the series trophy hangs in the balance. Who will claim the bragging rights in this epic rivalry? Dive in to discover all the details, from team lineups to expert insights, and let's unpack why this match might just be more than meets the eye. But here's where it gets controversial: With Australia already holding the Ashes, is this finale just a dead rubber, or could it spark a dramatic upset that changes everything? And this is the part most people miss—the subtle shifts in strategy that might reveal hidden weaknesses in both camps. Stick around as we break it down step by step, making sure even newcomers to the game can follow along easily.

Match Essentials

Participants: Australia battling England

Event: The fifth NRMA Insurance Test in the men's Ashes series

Timing: January 4-8, with play kicking off at 10:30am AEDT (that's 11:30pm GMT on the previous day)

Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Sydney

Live Updates: Check out the Match Centre for real-time scores (accessible at https://www.cricket.com.au/matches/CA:21892/australia-men-england-men-men-s-ashes-2025-26)

Watching Options: Tune in via Channel Seven, 7plus, Kayo Sports (head to https://goto.kayosports.com.au/Cricket), or Foxtel

Audio Coverage: Catch the action on ABC Radio, Triple M, or SEN Radio. A fresh addition this season is the CA Live app (download it at https://www.cricket.com.au/calive-app?), which partners with NRMA Insurance to deliver radio and commentary feeds live with zero delay through cutting-edge technology. Access Cricket Radio—both standard and real-time versions—right in the CA Live match centre from anywhere in Australia. Keep in mind, certain streams like TV commentary might only be available to fans at the ground. Learn more about it here (https://www.cricket.com.au/cricket-radio?).

Ticket Purchases: Seats are still up for grabs on day four—secure yours now at https://www.cricket.com.au/tickets/match/CA:21892?day=4

Match Officials: On-field umpires Chris Gaffaney and Ahsan Raza, third umpire Kumar Dharmasena, fourth umpire Sam Nogajski, and match referee Jeff Crowe

Post-Match Updates and Podcasts: Stay connected through cricket.com.au and the CA Live app (find it at https://www.cricket.com.au/calive-app?). Plus, the Unplayable Podcast will release fresh episodes after every day's action, featuring hosts Josh Schonafinger and Louis Cameron dissecting the highs and lows from the Gabba. You can also explore their full archive below.

Listen on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/6cuIEIwXOoSNOqsRDOvIbS)
Listen on Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1093437634)
Listen on iHeart Radio (https://omny.fm/shows/the-unplayable-podcast)

Session Breakdown for the Fifth Test

Morning Session: 10:30am – 12:30pm AEDT (11:30pm – 1:30am GMT)

Afternoon Session: 1:10pm – 3:10pm AEDT (2:10am – 4:10am GMT)

Evening Session: 3:30pm – 5:30pm AEDT (4:30am – 6:30am GMT)

Note: Teams can add up to an extra 30 minutes to wrap up the required overs each day.

Complete Series Timeline

First Test: Australia triumphed by eight wickets (results at https://www.cricket.com.au/matches/CA:21888/australia-men-england-men-men-s-ashes-2025-26)

Team Rosters

Australia Squad: Captain Steve Smith, along with Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, and Beau Webster

Australia has decided to stick with the same 15-player group for the final Test in Sydney, believing in their squad's ability to bounce back after the recent setback. The announcement came on Thursday as Steve Smith's team gathered in Sydney for their initial practice session post the unexpected four-wicket loss to England at the MCG last week, a result sealed in under two days on a pitch the ICC match referee Jeff Crowe labeled 'unsatisfactory.' This marked Australia's first home defeat to England in men's Tests in nearly 15 years, with a staggering 36 wickets tumbling in Melbourne. Yet, for Australia, the Ashes were already theirs after clinching victory in the third Test, so the loss carried more weight for England as a morale boost.

Coach Andrew McDonald is confident veteran batsman Usman Khawaja will be 'at the crease' in Sydney after his strong performance as Australia's second-highest scorer in the first innings of the low-scoring Boxing Day Test. However, McDonald is pushing for improved output from the entire top order ahead of this crucial game.

There's ongoing debate about Cameron Green's position, given his struggles with the bat this series—he hasn't reached a fifty yet. Meanwhile, Beau Webster is set to rejoin the squad after a brief stint with the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League on Monday. Webster has been part of the support staff throughout the series following his omission from the opening Test, despite impressive stats last summer: an average of nearly 35 with the bat and 23 with the ball in seven Tests.

"We've got a talented player ready on the sidelines," McDonald remarked about Webster. "Our batting lineup has the potential to perform at a much higher level, so we'll discuss options heading into Sydney."

England Squad: Captain Ben Stokes, vice-captain Harry Brook, and the rest: Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, and Josh Tongue

England has lost another key bowler to injury, with Gus Atkinson sidelined due to a hamstring issue from the Boxing Day Test. This follows Jofra Archer's departure after the third Test with a side strain, and Mark Wood's early exit due to a knee problem in the first match. Now down to 14 fit players, England might turn to seamer Matthew Potts for the Sydney clash, reluctant to rely on spinner Shoaib Bashir as a frontline option. Their Melbourne triumph on that controversial pitch has lifted spirits, despite the short duration. Jacob Bethell shone in the second innings, earning his recall in place of Ollie Pope, who hasn't adapted well to the Australian conditions.

Potential Starting Lineups

Australia: Jake Weatherald, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Captain Steve Smith, Usman Khawaja, Wicketkeeper Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Todd Murphy, Scott Boland

The quickfire Boxing Day Test has left Australian pacemen Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland in prime shape for the fifth encounter. Although the squad remains unchanged, selectors face tough choices for the final eleven, especially with valuable World Test Championship points on offer.

A major decision looms around the SCG pitch they'll inspect on Thursday: whether to include off-spinner Todd Murphy, after skipping a spinner in the last two games. This strategy paid off in the pink-ball Brisbane Test where Michael Neser snared five second-innings wickets to secure an eight-wicket win, and again in Melbourne where fast bowlers delivered all 142 overs on a 'furry' (meaning grassy for pace) surface, helping England chase down 175 in the final hour of day two.

The SCG's traditional favor for spin has faded recently; last year's fifth Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test saw pacers claim 33 of 34 wickets by the third day's tea. Still, injured spinner Nathan Lyon picked up four in the first innings, and Murphy added two in one of two Sheffield Shield games there this summer. In the other, Queensland's Mitchell Swepson and NSW's Tanveer Sangha each took three wickets in the second innings.

"It's rare for us to leave out a spinner, and it was forced by the conditions," explained coach Andrew McDonald. "Pink-ball Tests can make it tricky, but for red-ball games, this was unusual. We didn't like it, and I doubt it'll happen again. I'd happily pick Todd; he's got great promise after his first seven Tests and the last couple of years."

Key Players to Keep an Eye On

Usman Khawaja (Australia): In his previous Ashes clash at the SCG against England, Khawaja smashed twin centuries in a remarkable comeback after three years away from Tests. This series has been rocky for the experienced left-hander; he couldn't open in Perth due to back spasms, sat out the second Test with injury, was dropped then reinstated when Steve Smith fell ill, and responded with 82 and 40 in Adelaide. Khawaja surely aims to end on a high, amid rumors about his future in the team.

Josh Tongue (England): After waiting patiently through the first two Tests, the speedster burst onto the scene in Adelaide with a four-wicket haul in the second innings, followed by 5-45 on Boxing Day and two more wickets to clinch England's first Australian win in 15 years. Another solid outing in Sydney could cement his spot in England's long-term Test plans.

Insights into the Venue

The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) is steeped in Ashes lore. From Steve Waugh's heroic last-ball century in 2003 to farewell ceremonies for Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, and Justin Langer in 2007, and England's series win lap in 2011, it's hosted unforgettable moments.

Australia feels at home here, winning 62 of 113 games. They've only lost twice this century to England, both in non-deciding matches (2003 and 2011).

But here's the controversy: Six of the last 11 Tests here ended in draws, so all sides are craving a conclusive result.

England's record as visitors is decent—22 wins and 27 losses from 57 attempts—but recent games have swung wildly.

As the traditional venue for the final Test since the late 1990s, it's bitter territory for England, where Australian skippers like Mark Taylor, Steve Waugh, Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, and Steve Smith have lifted the Ashes trophy. Andrew Strauss remains the only English captain to do so since 1999.

Recent Performance Overview

Based on the last 10 matches, with the most recent listed first (W = Win, L = Loss, D = Draw):

Australia: LWWWWWWLWW

Australia's sole defeat in seven Tests occurred on that disputed MCG pitch, but it's not a major worry— they've already won the Ashes and lead the World Test Championship. Coach McDonald wants stronger batting after Melbourne's second innings collapse. With 11 wins in their last 14 Tests, and their next series against Bangladesh not until mid-2026, Australia is favored to finish strong in Sydney.

England: WLLLLDWLWW

England ended a four-match skid and a 15-year drought of wins in Australia with their Melbourne chase on a tricky pitch. But it was too late for the Ashes. Struggling in seventh on the WTC ladder with three wins from nine games, Ben Stokes' team needs another win here to stay relevant in the 2025-27 cycle before hosting New Zealand and Pakistan.

World Test Championship Standings

Australia's MCG loss was their first in the 2025-27 cycle, but with six wins from seven Tests, they top the table at 85.71% points, ahead of New Zealand. England sits seventh despite their historic win, far behind India in sixth.

No further Tests until Bangladesh versus Pakistan in March, so only an Australian defeat could shake things up, potentially dropping them below New Zealand and tying with South Africa. The top two by percentage advance to the 2027 final in England. Wins earn 12 points, ties six, draws four.

Quick Stats

England beat Australia by four wickets in their last meeting (MCG, December 2025), ending a three-game slide; they're chasing back-to-back wins for the first time since 2015, and in Australia since 2011.
Australia has gone unbeaten in their last three SCG Tests against England (two wins, one draw); their longest previous run was seven matches (three wins, four draws) from 1980 to 1999.
England hasn't drawn an away Test since March 2022 (before McCullum and Stokes took charge), with nine wins and 12 losses since; their 25% away win rate in 2025 is the worst since 2019 (17% from six matches).
Australia's MCG loss ended a six-match Test winning streak; they haven't lost more than one series game at home since a 1-2 result to India in 2020-21.
England had a 66.9% dot ball rate in 2025 Tests, the best globally, and 2.09 runs per scoring shot, second only to West Indies (2.11).
Australia's bowling average was 20.9 in 2025 Tests, tops worldwide, with 30% false shots induced, also the best.
Will Jacks (England) scored 53.4% of his 118 runs from singles in 2025 Tests, second highest (minimum 60 runs) after Mushfiqur Rahim's 55.5% of 503 for Bangladesh; Jacks has scored under 10 twice in his last three innings.
Mitchell Starc (Australia) claimed 55 wickets in 2025 Tests—12 more than anyone else—with a 17.3 average, second best for Australians with 40+ wickets in a year (behind Bert Ironmonger's 14.2 in 1931).
Jamie Smith (England) had a 94.4% catch success rate (34/36), best for anyone with 10+ catches, and his 34 total was second only to Alex Carey's 44 (Australia).
Steve Smith (Australia) amassed 614 runs at 55.8 across his last 14 innings, but was out for just four in his recent SCG outing (January 2025 vs India)—he hasn't been dismissed for under 20 in consecutive innings here.

2025-26 NRMA Insurance Men's Ashes Series Recap

First Test: Australia won by eight wickets (https://www.cricket.com.au/matches/CA:21888/australia-men-england-men-men-s-ashes-2025-26)

Second Test: Australia won by eight wickets (https://www.cricket.com.au/matches/CA:21889/australia-men-england-men-men-s-ashes-2025-26)

Third Test: Australia won by 82 runs (https://www.cricket.com.au/matches/CA:21890/australia-men-england-men-men-s-ashes-2025-26)

Fourth Test: England won by four wickets (https://www.cricket.com.au/matches/CA:21891/australia-men-england-men-men-s-ashes-2025-26)

Fifth Test: January 4-8 at SCG, Sydney, 10:30am AEDT (https://www.cricket.com.au/matches/CA:21892/australia-men-england-men-men-s-ashes-2025-26)

Australia Squad (Fifth Test): Captain Steve Smith, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster

England Squad: Captain Ben Stokes, Vice-Captain Harry Brook, Shoaib Bashir, Jacob Bethell, Brydon Carse, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Matthew Fisher, Will Jacks, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Wicketkeeper Jamie Smith, Josh Tongue

As we wrap up this preview, think about this: Is the Ashes urn truly the ultimate prize, or do individual legacies matter more in a series already decided? And here's a controversial take—some fans argue that dead rubbers like this one just highlight the flaws in Test cricket's format, diluting the drama. What do you think? Does a result here really count, or should we focus on the bigger picture, like World Test Championship points? Share your opinions in the comments below—do you side with Australia's home advantage, or could England pull off a fairy-tale finish? Let's keep the conversation going!