Sydney is the venue for the fifth and final Ashes test match between Australia and England, the game gets under way on Sunday and after England restored some pride in Melbourne the Aussies now lead the series 3-1.
Perth was the venue for the first Ashes test match and it took just 2 days to get a result with Australia coming home by 8 wickets. Australia then made it 2-0 with an 8 wicket victory in the second test, a day / night match in Brisbane. The destiny of the Ashes was then sealed with an 82 run win for Australia in the third test in Adelaide.
The fourth test in Melbourne saw England come out on top by 4 wickets with their first test match victory on Australian soil since 2010/11.
The MCG served up a nightmare for batsmen and for the second time in the series the test was settled in just 2 days. England won the toss and opted to bowl and Josh Tongu took 5 wickets as Australia were bowled out for 152 (Neser 35).
In reply England made just 110 (Harry Brook 41) as Neser took 4 wickets and Boland 3.
The pattern continued in the second innings with Australia all out for 132 (Head 46) as Carse took 4 wickets.
England put on 51 for the first wicket of the chase and although they came under pressure a valuable top score of 40 from Bethell saw them keep enough in hand to close the game out on 178/6.
Josh Tongue collected the Player of the Match award.
This was how the teams lined up in Melbourne.
Australia: Travis Head, Jake Weatherald, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith (c), Usman Khawaja, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Michael Neser, Mitchell Starc, Jhye Richardson, Scott Boland
England: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (c), Jamie Smith (wk), Will Jacks, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Josh Tongue
Note, Gus Atkinson has been ruled out of this test and earlier in the series England lost Wood and archer to injury.
Recent Ashes Series
In England in 2023 the series was drawn 2-2 (1-1)
In Australia in 2021/22 England lost 4-0 (1 draw)
In England in 2019 a 5 match series was drawn 2-2 and Australia retained the urn.
In Australia in 2017/18 England lost 4-0 (1 draw)
The Venue, Sydney Cricket Ground
Over the course of the last decade Australia have played 10 test matches at the SCG, winning 5 and drawing 5.
In the most recent test match here against India in January 2025 Australia (181 and 162/4) beat India (185 and 157) by 6 wickets
In the 2022 Ashes test Australia (416/8 and 265/6) drew with England (294 and 270/9)
5th Test Betting
Prices quoted from Sportingbet are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Australia are 6/10 to win the third test with a draw at 5.25/1 and England can be backed at 21/10
The Verdict
This has been one crazy series and one I have struggled with in terms of landing bets.
To wrap up I quite like the price boost for Travis Head to top score in Australia’s 1st innings and I’ll also include a Harry Brook 50 in the first knock.
Bets: Top Australia 1st Innings Bat Travis Head was 33/10 now 9/2 with Sportingbet
1st Innings to score a 50, Harry Brook at 21/10 with Sportingbet
Prices quoted from Sportingbet are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change.