Australia wins Ashes series 4-1 with a five-wicket victory in Sydney

SYDNEY (AP) — Mitchell Starc took 31 wickets. Travis Head posted three centuries and tallied 629 runs. Alex Carey completed 28 dismissals.

The bowling, batting and fielding performances feature highly on the all-time lists for Aussies in the Ashes, underscoring Australia's dominance in the 4-1 series win that was completed on Day 5 of the fifth test with a five-wicket in Sydney.

“Yeah, it has been magnificent,” Steve Smith, Australia’s stand-in captain for four of the five tests in the absence of Pat Cummins, said of the individual contributions. “I think everyone’s stood up at different times. (Starc, Head and Carey) were obviously huge standouts, but other guys stood up at different times throughout the series and, you know, that’s what makes a good team.”

The Australians bowled England out for 342 on the fifth morning of the series finale and, chasing 160 for victory, finished 161-5 with Carey hitting the winnings runs and Cameron Green unbeaten on 22. Usman Khawaja was sent into retirement with a guard of honor and a standing ovation.

“It was nice to finish on a high note,” said Smith, who scored a century in the first innings to move up to No. 6 on the all-time list. “We know the importance of every test match with the World Test Championship, so to get the result here and finish the series on a high was incredibly pleasing.”

The Australians retained the Ashes with wins in the first three tests, but England was determined to narrow the margin after its drought-breaking win in Melbourne.

“Tough one to take knowing that we can play a lot better than that, but ... the Australian cricket team, they’ve just been incredible for five test matches," injured England captain Ben Stokes said. “But also, being pretty truthful to ourselves, we’ve done a little bit of damage ourselves.”

The 39-year-old veteran walked to the crease after Smith was bowled by Will Jacks and Australia was 92-3. He was given a guard of honor from the England players, shook hands with Stokes and hugged Marnus Labuschagne.

He got off the mark with a paddled reverse sweep and edged another ball between the wicketkeeper and first slip for another 2.

Labuschagne had a reprieve when he was dropped on 20 by Jacob Bethell and took 16 off the next over, bowled by Jacks, to get the chase down to 41.

That's where Khawaja's 88-test career finished, dragging a delivery from Josh Tongue (3-42) onto his stumps.

He saluted the crowd, then kneeled and kissed the turf in front of a “Thankyou Uzzy” sign that was painted onto the field.

Labuschagne was soon run out for 37 when he took off for a single, only to get sent back by Carey.

At 121-5, it was tense, until Carey and Green combined to usher Australia home.

England resumed on Day 5 at 302-8, a lead of 119 runs, and added 40 more runs.

Starc dismissed Bethell for 154 and Tongue (6) to finish off the England innings and finish the series with 31 wickets at an average of 19.9, a performance that earned him the player of the series honors.

Australia's chase started quickly, scoring 10 in the first over, before Head was caught in the deep for 29.

After getting a major reprieve on a contentious DRS decision on 16, Jake Weatherald misjudged a short ball from Tongue and was caught out for 34.

That DRS ruling added extra spice to the last day of the series.

England reviewed umpire Ahsan Raza’s not out decision to a caught behind appeal against Weatherald from Brydon Carse's bowling.

DRS technology appeared to show a slight murmur when the ball passed the toe of Weatherald’s bat before going through to the wicketkeeper. But TV umpire Kumar Dharmasena deemed there was inconclusive evidence, and upheld the original decision.

The England players were stunned, after watching the DRS replays on the stadium screens, and Stokes had to step in to move Carse away from umpire Raza as he demanded an explanation. Stokes calmly approached the umpire, discussed the decision-making process, and got on with the game.

The total crowd across five days of the fifth test was 211,032, a record for the Sydney Cricket Ground.

AP cricket: https://apnews.com/hub/cricket

Australian team celebrate with the Ashes trophy following the final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Australia, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia Usman Khawaja kisses the turf as he leaves the field during play on the last day of the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Australia's Jake Weatherald bats during play on the last day of the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

England's Brydon Carse, right, and teammate Ben Stokes talk to umpire Ahsan Raza during play on the last day of the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

England's Matthew Potts, left, gestures to teammate Jacob Bethell after he was dismissed during play on the last day of the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

England's Jacob Bethell bats during play on the last day of the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

England's Jacob Bethell bats during play on the last day of the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Reaction to the death of College Football Hall of Fame coach Lou Holtz, who led Notre Dame to a national championship in 1988.

“Lou and I shared a very special relationship. He welcomed me to the Notre Dame family immediately, offering me great support throughout our time together. Our relationship meant a lot to me as I admired the values he used to build the foundation of his coaching career: love, trust and commitment. ... Lou’s impact at Notre Dame has gone well beyond the football team. He and his wife, Beth, are respected across campus for their generous hearts and commitment to carrying out Notre Dame’s mission of being a force for good.” — Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman.

“He was successful. But more important, he was significant.” — Skip Holtz, son of Lou Holtz and a fellow football coach.

“Lou Holtz was more than a football figure. He was a true leader. One of one. He consistently encouraged others in life. The message never changed. Trust, Love, Commitment.” — Rick Mirer, Notre Dame quarterback from 1989-1992.

“Obviously one of the greatest coaches certainly to ever coach this game. I would think a lot of people who played for him and know him would probably say one of the greatest people and one of the greatest influences in a lot of people’s lives.” — Clemson coach Dabo Swinney.

“I still remember the day he came to my house to recruit me. He didn’t just sit down and talk to me about football or what I could do on the field. He talked to me as a young man. And he spoke to my mom the way a man should speak to a mother who was trusting someone with her son. He looked her in the eye and promised that I would be taken care of at Notre Dame. That moment meant everything to us, and it’s something I’ve carried with me my entire life.” — Hall of Fame NFL running back Jerome Bettis, who played at Notre Dame from 1990-92.

“Notre Dame mourns the loss of Lou Holtz, a legendary football coach, a beloved member of the Notre Dame family and devoted husband, father and grandfather. Among his many accomplishments, we will remember him above all as a teacher, leader and mentor who brought out the very best in his players, on and off the field, earning their respect and admiration for a lifetime. ... Whenever Notre Dame called to ask for his help, Lou answered with his characteristic generosity, and he will be sorely missed." — The Rev. Robert A. Dowd, University of Notre Dame president.

“Lou Holtz was a giant of college football whose influence on the game is matched only by the impact he had on people. Coach Holtz built championship programs, transformed young men into leaders, and brought passion and discipline to every sideline he paced. His on-field success is etched in the history of the sport, but it was his unmistakable voice and quick wit that connected him so deeply with football fans everywhere." — Southeastern Conference commissioner Greg Sankey.

"He not only was a great coach, he was a great person. We need more people like Lou Holtz. ... He was a jokester and a character. People liked to be around him. It’s hard to put a tag on Lou Holtz. He did everything so well. He was a great speaker. He attracted crowds wherever he went.” — former West Virginia coach Don Nehlen.

“Coach Lou Holtz was a legend on and off the field, who cared deeply for the state of Indiana and lived a remarkable life grounded in faith, family, and giving back. He will be greatly missed.” — Indiana Gov. Mike Braun.

“I learned that it was a bad idea to speak after him at an event because he was such an inspirational and motivational speaker. He was truly one of a kind.” — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis

Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football

FILE - Notre Dame's head coach Lou Holtz and the Fighting Irish walk onto the field of the Los Angeles Coliseum to warm up for an NCAA college football game against Southern California Saturday, Nov. 30, 1996 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kevork Djansezian, File)

FILE - Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz watches his team workout before the start of their game against Japan's national American football team at the Notre Dame Japan Bowl in Tokyo Saturday, July 25, 2009. (AP Photo/Junji Kurokawa, File)