Aussies take the Ashes 4-1

England’s atrocious Ashes tour ended with a five-wicket defeat in the fifth Test that gave Australia a 4-1 series triumph.

Australia chased a target of 160 after lunch on the final day in the sunshine of the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Disrupted by injuries, including to captain Pat Cummins, Australia dominated yet another Ashes on home soil - this was their fourth consecutive series win down under - and extended a hold of the urn that began in 2018.

For England, this was the conclusion of one of their most disappointing Ashes tours in recent memory.

Ben Stokes’ side at least took the fourth Test in Melbourne for their first Test win in this country since 2011, but that two-day shootout on a grassy pitch was the outlier in a series where they were humbled.

Stokes was able to lead his team onto the field for the final act in Sydney despite a groin injury.

Greater pressure is on head coach Brendon McCullum and director of cricket Rob Key. Both men have admitted failings on this tour and expressed their desire to stay.

(BBC sport)

Scoreboard:

England 384 (Joe Root 160, Michael Neser 4-60) and 342 (Jacob Bethell 154; Beau Webster 3-64, Mitchell Starc 3-72)

Australia 567 (Travis Head 163, Steven Smith 138; Josh Tongue 3-97) and 161-5 (Manus Labuschagne 37, Josh Tongue 3-42)