There were a couple of wobbles along the way but at 2.30pm on the final day in Sydney, Australia had knocked off a target of 160 runs to win the fifth Test by five wickets and claim this Ashes series by a 4-1 scoreline.<\/p>\n
Like their tour as a whole, there was a nagging sense of what might have been for England with a few more runs on the board, or better catching and tighter bowling earlier in the contest. But there could be few quibbles from the injured Ben Stokes as he watched the final rites from first slip.<\/p>\n
This has been a chastening tour for Stokes and his men, the Ashes lost in a record-equalling 11 days and just that two-day shootout victory in Melbourne to show for it. High hopes were followed by crushing lows, even if Jacob Bethell\u2019s 154 in this fifth Test was a genuine moment of promise.<\/p>\n
Australia simply played superior cricket across the bulk of the series, with the flashing blade of Travis Head, the left-arm majesty of Mitchell Starc, and Scott Boland\u2019s accuracy standing out. England underwhelmed with the bat, while their bowling prompted the words \u201ccut for four\u201d far too often.<\/p>\n
Another difference was Alex Carey\u2019s campaign both behind the stumps and with bat in hand, Australia\u2019s cherubic wicketkeeper going on to deliver the winning moment with a succulent drive through extra cover off Will Jacks.<\/p>\n
Australia pose with trophy after winning the fifth Test. Photograph: Jason McCawley\/CA\/Cricket Australia\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
The run chase delivered a few moments for a crowd of 26,000 that took the match past 200,000 for the first time in the SCG\u2019s history. Among these one last snarling blow-up from Brydon Carse after review for caught behind off Jake Weatherland on 16 was declined despite a low murmur on Snicko.<\/p>\n
Up in the third umpire\u2019s box, Kumar Dharmasena had felt there was not enough evidence to overturn the decision, with English minds cast back to a similar one that saw Jamie Smith dismissed back in Perth. Consistency is the key, even if Snicko\u2019s shortcomings have been shown up all series.<\/p>\n
After a lively start, Head\u2019s monstrous series ended with 629 runs at 69.2 when he stuck one up the shoot off Josh Tongue on 29. Another lifter from England\u2019s most encouraging seamer on tour then did for Weatherald on 34 to bring lunch, Australia were 71 for two with 89 more runs required.<\/p>\n
Jacks bowling Steve Smith with a beauty for 12 after the resumption brought Usman Khawaja to the crease through a guard of honour. A fine Test career soon ended on six, however, Khawaja bowled by Tongue off the inside edge and stopping to perform a sajdah on the outfield as he walked off.<\/p>\n
Usman Khawaja may not have had the final innings he was hoping for but he still received a passionate farewell in Sydney. Photograph: Eurasia Sport Images\/Getty Images<\/p>\n