The Ashes live cricket scores: Australia and England resume battle in fifth and final Test at the SCG
Cricket: The series may be decided, but plenty of pride will be on the line in the fifth and final Test of The Ashes between Australia and England at the SCG.
The tourists were able to put what had been a torrid tour where they surrendered the urn inside 11 match days behind them by claiming their first victory on Australian shores in 15 years in a fast-forward Boxing Day Test.
Australia’s hopes of a 5-0 whitewash were swept away with the loss, but Steve Smith’s side will be looking to ensure England are sent home with a bitter taste in their mouths.
Stay across the latest Ashes action as Australia and England resume their battle in Sydney.
Key events
06 Jan 2026 - 03:03 PM
STUMPS AUSTRALIA 7-518 Lead by 134
06 Jan 2026 - 02:00 PM
37th 100 for Steve Smith
06 Jan 2026 - 01:46 PM
WICKET Green ct Duckett b Carse 37
06 Jan 2026 - 12:45 PM
Smith puts Australia in the lead
06 Jan 2026 - 12:13 PM
TEA - Australia 6-377 Trail by 7
06 Jan 2026 - 11:58 AM
WICKET Carey ct Bethell b Tongue 16
06 Jan 2026 - 11:35 AM
WICKET Khawaja LBW Carse 17
06 Jan 2026 - 11:28 AM
50 for Steve Smith
06 Jan 2026 - 10:23 AM
WICKET Head LBW Bethell 163
06 Jan 2026 - 09:35 AM
LUNCH - AUSTRALIA 3-281 trail by 103
06 Jan 2026 - 09:17 AM
150 for Travis Head!
06 Jan 2026 - 08:45 AM
WICKET Neser ct Smith b Carse 24
06 Jan 2026 - 08:01 AM
JACKS PUTS DOWN A SITTER FROM HEAD!
06 Jan 2026 - 07:27 AM
Travis Head marches to his third 100
70th Over - AUS 4-301
Bethell continues.
Full toss and Khawaja hits the drive straight to cover, but a misfield allows one to bring up 300.
Smith dinks one off the thigh legside.
69th Over - AUS 4-299
EDGED FOUR! Smith defends with soft hands and gets a thick edge through the slips.
Half a shout for LBW, but Smith gets a big inside edge for one.
Khawaja is off the mark as he whips a single off the pads.
FOUR! On the hips and Smith’s on it in a flash to send it through backward sqaure.
68th Over - AUS 4-288
CLOSE! Khawaja goes to cut and almost edges through to the keeper.
There’s still a chance for England if they can strike again early.
WICKET Head LBW Bethell 163
Head misses the sweep and Head falls between 150 and 175 again!
Jacob Bethell of all people with the breakthrough as Head burns a review to boot.
Went too far across the line and just went under his edge. Relief for England and what a breakthrough.
Big cheers as Usman Khawaja comes to the crease.
67th Over - AUS 3-288
Stokes returns, by far England’s best bowler.
Head flicks a single off the hip to bring up 600 runs for the series at an average of 75. Immense.
66th Over - AUS 3-287
Smith defends outside off.
FOUR! Overpitches and Smith drives handsomely through the covers with the lead now under 100, and brings up the 50 partnership.
Aggressive! Smith advances down and doesn’t time it well but easily clears the infield for two.
Blocks the last.
We're back
Smith on strike and it’s Jacob Bethell to role the arm over for the first time this series!
This about sums up the morning from England.
LUNCH - AUSTRALIA 3-281 trail by 103
Well, that was a madcap finish to the session with Steve Smith in particular not looking comfortable but this pair have now put on 47 runs.
Jacks dropped Head twice, while Smith has been dropped once, with there still enough on offer if England can find their lengths.
They started well this morning but then lost the plot through the middle only to find it again once Neser fell.
Head has never passed 175 in seven half centuries could he go big after lunch?
65th Over - AUS 3-281
Will Jacks to bowl the last over before lunch.
Smith swipes a single doen the ground.
DROPPED. Jacks drops Head for the second time to day as he smashes a straight drive back at it him. Jacks sticks the hands out but it bounces straight out.
Smith works a single into the legside.
FOUR! Dragged down and Head rocks on the backfoot and a thick edge away for through third man.
Drives a single to mid-off. Smith works one off the last and that’s lunch.
