There’s something about the Sydney Cricket Ground in January that feels different from any other venue — especially when the stands turn pink. The fifth Ashes Test is more than just a series finale; it’s a week that blends high-stakes cricket with a charitable cause that has touched thousands of families.

4 related posts

Match: Australia vs England, 5th Test ·
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground ·
Dates: January 4–8, 2026 ·
Result: Australia won by 5 wickets ·
Series Result: Australia won 4–1

Quick snapshot

1Match Overview
  • Australia vs England, 5th Test
  • Sydney Cricket Ground
  • January 4–8, 2026
2Result
  • Australia won by 5 wickets
  • Series 4–1 to Australia
3Notable Moments
  • Pink Test tradition
  • Australia secures series win at SCG
4How to Watch
  • TV: TNT Sports (UK), Fox Cricket (AUS)
  • Streaming: Discovery+ (UK), Kayo Sports (AUS)

Five key facts, one takeaway: the SCG Test was a decisive end to a fiercely contested Ashes series where Australia’s depth outlasted England’s fighting spirit.

Label Value
Match Australia vs England, 5th Test
Venue Sydney Cricket Ground
Dates January 4–8, 2026
Result Australia won by 5 wickets
Series Australia won 4–1

What time does the 5th Ashes Test start?

The first ball was scheduled for 10:30 AM AEDT each day, which translates to 11:30 PM GMT the previous evening. This schedule was confirmed by Cricket Australia (the governing body for the sport in Australia).

Session times followed the standard Test format:

  • Morning session: 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM AEDT
  • Afternoon session: 1:10 PM – 3:10 PM AEDT
  • Evening session: 3:30 PM – 5:30 PM AEDT

An extra 30 minutes is available each day to complete overs, as per the playing conditions outlined by Cricket Australia’s match preview.

The takeaway: For UK viewers, that meant late-night starts; for Australian fans, a relaxed morning session before the heat of the day.

The pattern: Early start in Sydney, late-night commitment for UK audiences — but both sides had the same amount of cricket to digest.

Where will the 5th Ashes Test be held?

The match was played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), a venue with a capacity of approximately 48,000 according to DAZN (a global sports streaming and media provider). The SCG is a historic ground that has hosted Ashes Tests since 1882.

Why this matters: The SCG’s unique dimensions and lively pitch often produce results that shape the series outcome — and this year was no exception.

The implication: The SCG delivered a pitch that rewarded Australia’s depth over England’s fight on the final day.

Why is the 5th Ashes Test pink?

The Sydney Test is known as the Pink Test, a tradition started in 2009 to support the McGrath Foundation and raise funds for breast cancer research. The entire ground is decorated in pink — from the sightscreens to the players’ accessories. This tradition was highlighted in the official preview by Cricket Australia (the governing body for the sport in Australia).

What is the Pink Test?

It is more than a theme day — the Pink Test has raised over $20 million for breast cancer nursing since its inception. The 2025-26 edition continued that legacy, with the SCG transformed into a sea of pink every January.

The pattern: Cricket’s power to unite sport with social purpose is rarely more visible than during this week in Sydney.

Why this matters

For the McGrath Foundation, every pink cap sold and every donation made during the Test translates directly into more breast care nurses in communities across Australia. The cricket is the stage, but the cause is the star.

The catch: The Pink Test turned a sporting event into a life-saving fundraiser — and the 2026 edition kept that tradition alive.

What did Ben Stokes say to Marnus?

An exchange between England captain Ben Stokes and Australian batter Marnus Labuschagne became one of the most talked-about moments of the fifth Test. The exact words exchanged remain unclear, and the incident was widely interpreted as a sign of the intensity between the two sides.

The trade-off: What appears as gamesmanship to some may be a competitive release for others — and it added a layer of drama to an already charged finale.

What this means: The Stokes-Labuschagne moment, though unconfirmed in words, captured the tension of a series that was decided but not devoid of edge.

Is the Ashes 5 Test match?

Yes, the Ashes is traditionally a five-Test series played between England and Australia. The fifth Test is the final match of the series, as confirmed by Cricket Australia (the governing body for the sport in Australia). Australia had already secured the series before the Sydney Test, winning the first three matches before England claimed the fourth.

What this means: The SCG Test gave Australia a chance to cement a 4–1 result, and England an opportunity to finish on a high — a dynamic that made the match compelling even with the series decided.

The implication: With the Ashes already retained, the fifth Test became a battle for scoreline pride — and Australia sealed it.

Timeline signal

The match unfolded over five days, with momentum shifting multiple times before Australia chased down the target on the final afternoon.

  • January 4 (Day 1): Australia wins the toss and elects to bat, building a solid first innings.
  • January 5 (Day 2): Australia continues batting; England begins its reply.
  • January 6 (Day 3): England fights back with a strong bowling performance.
  • January 7 (Day 4): England sets a target for Australia.
  • January 8 (Day 5): Australia reaches 161/5 to win by 5 wickets, securing the series 4–1.

The implication: Australia’s ability to pace a run chase under pressure on the final day demonstrated the depth of their batting lineup.

Clarity: what we know and what remains uncertain

Confirmed facts

  • The 5th Test was held at SCG in January 2026.
  • Australia won the match.

What’s unclear

  • Exact words exchanged between Stokes and Labuschagne.
  • Specific details of Stokes family tragedy (privacy concerns).

Quotes that captured the moment

“England beaten to give Australia 4-1 Ashes win.”

BBC Sport (the UK’s leading public service broadcaster)

“Full scorecard and highlights of the 5th Test, including Australia’s five-wicket victory.”

ESPNcricinfo (the world’s leading digital cricket platform)

Why this matters: These summaries from two of cricket’s most authoritative sources confirm the narrative of Australian dominance and England’s valiant but ultimately unsuccessful effort.

The pattern: Both BBC Sport and ESPNcricinfo framed the result as a definitive Australian series win, with England’s fight acknowledged but not enough.

For Australian fans, the choice is clear: Enjoy a dominant series win that reaffirms the team’s standing. For England supporters, the implication is equally clear: Learn from a competitive series where the final scoreline didn’t quite reflect the fight shown on the field.

Additional sources

austadiums.com, youtube.com

For a complete overview of the series, check out the full Ashes 2025-26 schedule and results from Pacific Brief.

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Frequently asked questions

Who scored 400 runs in a Test match?

Several batsmen have achieved 400 runs in a Test innings, most famously Brian Lara (400*) for West Indies against England in 2004. More recently, other players have come close, but no Australian or English batter reached that mark in the 2025-26 Ashes.

Which batsman has 0 ducks in ODIs?

No professional batsman has a record of zero ducks in ODIs — every player is dismissed for zero at some point. The question may refer to a statistical oddity, but it does not apply to any active player in the Ashes.

What tragedy haunts Stokes family?

Ben Stokes has spoken publicly about the loss of family members, but specific details are private. The Stokes family has requested respect for their privacy regarding personal tragedies.

What time is Ashes kickoff?

In cricket, Tests do not have a “kickoff”. The fifth Test started at 10:30 AM AEDT each day. For UK viewers, that was 11:30 PM GMT the previous evening.

How did Australia win the 5th Test?

Australia chased down England’s target of 161 with five wickets in hand on the final day. The victory capped a 4–1 series win and was built on a disciplined bowling effort and composed batting in the fourth innings.