"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. 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. 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's 154 in this fifth Test was a genuine moment of promise."
"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's accuracy standing out. England underwhelmed with the bat, while their bowling prompted the words cut for four far too often. Another difference was Alex Carey's campaign both behind the stumps and with bat in hand, Australia's cherubic wicketkeeper going on to deliver the winning moment with a succulent drive through extra cover off Will Jacks."
Australia chased 160 to win the fifth Test by five wickets and secured the Ashes series 4-1. England’s tour produced a sense of missed opportunities with dropped chances and insufficient runs, while an injured Ben Stokes watched from first slip. The touring side managed one notable win in Melbourne and a promising 154 from Jacob Bethell, but overall Australia outplayed England through performances from Travis Head, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland. Alex Carey contributed strongly with gloves and bat, finishing the chase with a drive through extra cover off Will Jacks. A late caught-behind review for Brydon Carse was declined by the third umpire.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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