Archive · 8 Jan 2026
Australia Closes In on Ashes Victory
Australia is playing England in a big cricket match called the Ashes.
Australia is winning the series 3-1 and is very close to winning the last match.
England scored 342 runs in their second turn to bat, and Australia needs 160 runs to win.
Australia lost two players early but is still in a good position.
Jacob Bethell from England scored a lot of runs (154) to help his team.
Ben Stokes, the England captain, is hurt and couldn't bowl.
Beau Webster, an Australian player, bowled well and took three important wickets using a special kind of ball called off-spin.
Australia is very close to winning the match and the series.
Australia needs 160 more runs to win the fifth Ashes Test and secure a 4-1 series victory.
England scored 342 in their second innings, with Jacob Bethell scoring 154 not out.
Australia lost two wickets early in their second innings, with Jake Weatherald (34) and Travis Head (29) dismissed.
Ben Stokes, the England captain, is injured and unlikely to bowl due to a groin injury.
Beau Webster took three key wickets for Australia using his off-spin bowling, including Ben Stokes.
- Who
- Australia and England cricket teams
- What
- Fifth Ashes Test match
- When
- Day 5 of the fifth Ashes Test
- Where
- Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Australia
- Why
- To determine the winner of the Ashes series
- Match
- Fifth Ashes Test
- Venue
- Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)
- Series Lead
- Australia 3-1
- England's First Innings
- 384
- Australia's First Innings
- 567
- England's Second Innings
- 342
- Australia's Second Innings
- 71/2 at lunch
- Jacob Bethell's Score
- 154 not out
- Mitchell Starc's Wickets
- 3 (including Bethell and Tongue)
- Ben Stokes' Injury
- Groin injury
Sources
Beau Webster Speaks On His Off-Spin After Trouncing England on Day Four in Sydney Ashes Test: 'It's More Muscle Memory'
Ashes: Australia lose openers but close in on win
Bethell’s first Test century helps England score 302
