Ashes | Australia avoid late English defiance to claim Ashes 4-1 with five wicket win at SCG on Day 5

Gantavya Adukia

ByGantavya Adukia,SportsCafe Editor

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Australia held their nerves in what turned into a tricky run chase on the final day of the New Year's Test to secure a five-wicket win and claim the urn 4-1. Set 160, the hosts lost five wickets despite a half-century opening stand before Alex Carey and Cameron Green saw them through.

Usman Khawaja's career got off to a fitting end as Australia claimed the win at SCG to take the Ashes home by a margin of 4-1

Resuming from an overnight score of 302/8, England got off to a riveting start as Matthew Potts got off the mark with an authporitative pull for four on the first ball of the day bowled by Beau Webster. On the other end, Jacob Bethell continued to lead the reins and ticked his way past 150, another first in his young professional career. However, the new ball became available to the hosts within half an hour of play and they put it to good use, extracting significant swing and seam movement to shackle down the English and conjure a couple of close calls. It eventually culminated in Bethell throwing hands at a Starc short one that cramped him for room and nicked behind to depart for 154 after a 31-run stand. Potts added a few more to England's total with a couple of gorgeous boundaries but Starc eventually wrapped up matters with his 31st wicket of the series to set Australia a target of 160.

Brydon Carse nearly pulled off a first-over miracle by surprising Travis Head twice with a yorker, albeit the opener managed to barely survive on both occasions. Nevertheless, three boundaries across two overs from Jake Weatherald and Head's bat allayed some nerves, and the team raced past 30 within six and a half overs. The tourists had another big shout when there was a murmur on nicko off a Weatherald flash at Carse's delivery but the decision went the Kangaroos' way, leading to rising tensions in the middle. By the start of the 11th over, the Aussies had already struck eight boundaries and Head added one more two balls later by flaying Josh Tongue through gully. However, the in-form veteran got a bit too greedy as he charged down the track and wildly hacked at a short one to send the ball swirling up in the air and Carse pocketed a routine chance. Two balls before Lunch was set to be called, Weatherald departed too to a bumper when he left his bat dangling in the way and top-edged to deep fine-leg, thus sending the team into the break at 71/2.

Marnus Labuschagne announced intentions early after Lunch by skipping down the track against Will Jacks and depositing him into the stands as he stitched together a quick 21 runs alongside skipper Steve Smith, before the latter was at the receiving end of Jacks' riposte to depart for 12. Usman Khawaja walked out therafter to a guard of honour put together by both teams, but there was no fairytale in store for him as he lasted just seven balls before dragging on Tongue and walking off to a rousing ovation by the SCG. An over later, a horrid brainfade saw Labuschagne run himself out for 37 and England suddenly saw Australia down to 121/5, sparking a glimmer of hope with 39 runs still in the bank. However, Alex Carey and Cameron Green quickly dispensed the tourists of that thought by knocking them down in less than eight overs, the former scoring the winning runs with a boundary in the 32nd over to seal the series 4-1.

Carey with the winning runs!

Dominance!

4-1

Aus win!

Outdated!

umpires call

Heared up!

Very brilliant right?

Lol!

Oh!

Are you sure!

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