The 2025-26 Ashes series has reached a gripping finale at the Sydney Cricket Ground, delivering a masterclass in fifth Test match drama. Although Australia have already retained the urn, England arrived in Sydney determined to build on their recent Boxing Day victory in Melbourne. The contest has been an oscillating battle of wills: England’s initial total of 384 was eclipsed by Australia’s massive 567, but the visitors found their second wind on Day 4. Propelled by a resilient, unbeaten 142 from 22-year-old Jacob Bethell, England fought back to 302/8 by stumps, carving out a slim but psychologically significant lead of 119 runs.
Alastair Cook gives winning target for England on Day 5 of 5th Ashes Test
With only two wickets remaining and the SCG pitch beginning to show the characteristic wear of a fifth-day surface, the stage is set for a final-day shootout. Following the conclusion of play, former England captain Sir Alastair Cook analysed the narrow path to victory for Ben Stokes’ brigade on TNT Sports. Cook dismissed the likelihood of a draw, noting that the rapid nature of the game and the deteriorating pitch make a definitive result almost certain. He argued that on a fifth-day deck—a rarity in modern Test cricket—even a modest target could prove insurmountable for Australia if the England bowlers can strike early and exploit the uneven bounce.
“I don’t think a draw is possible as there is too much cricket to go. However, one thing you can say about the 4th innings on a 5th day, which we don’t get very often—normally the pitch in a Test match with 3 or 4 days of cricket is pretty good. We might see this pitch deteriorate a lot more so suddenly 160 or 220, they obviously got 2 wickets left, if they got 6 wickets left they might get 220. So 160 is possible to defend. It is possible if you get early Australian wickets.” Cook said on TNT Sports.
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Cook suggested that while a lead of 119 is currently precarious, if England’s tail can provide enough resistance to push that advantage beyond the 150-run mark, what is currently an "outside chance" will transform into a genuine threat. On a wearing SCG surface, Cook believes such a target would force the Australian batters into a high-pressure survival mode that often leads to mistakes.
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England in particular have to get Travis Head out: Cook
To capitalise on this pressure, Cook identified Travis Head as the vital wicket England must secure early. He described the aggressive opener as the engine behind Australia’s momentum throughout the series, noting that Head’s ability to provide flying starts often demoralises opposing bowlers before they can settle. In Cook's view, removing Head cheaply would remove Australia's safety net, potentially triggering a sense of panic within the middle order that England has struggled to induce so far this summer.
“England in particular have to get Travis Head out. They get Travis Head out, Australia won’t get the flying start, they can suddenly be 30/3. One or two suddenly explode, you get Steve Smith caught in the gully that he can’t play, then suddenly you can believe. We have seen so many matches in the past actually here in Australia where it is hard to chase the score. England haven’t got the specialist spinner which they would love, but it is an outside chance. They have given themselves an outside chance, so you never know.” Cook signed off.