The Ashes 2025-26 series has been a whirlwind of high-stakes drama and rapid results, with the first four matches providing some of the most condensed Test cricket in recent history.
Australia holds an unassailable 3-1 lead in the Ashes 2025-26 series ahead of Sydney Test
Australia currently holds an unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series, having dominated the early encounters in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide with clinical bowling and explosive batting from the likes of Travis Head and Alex Carey. However, the narrative shifted dramatically during the Boxing Day Test at the MCG, where England secured a historic four-wicket victory in a match that lasted less than two days.
This win ended England’s 14-year drought on Australian soil and injected fresh life into the tour just as the teams headed to the series finale. Now, all eyes turn to the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) for the fifth and final Test, scheduled to begin on January 4, 2026, where the hosts aim to close out a 4-1 victory while England looks to build on their newfound momentum.
Michael Clarke’s retirement prediction for the Australian veteran
Former Australian captain Michael Clarke has stirred significant debate by predicting that the Sydney Test will serve as the international swansong for veteran batter Usman Khawaja. Clarke believes the 39-year-old should take the opportunity to retire on his home ground, especially after a challenging 2025 season where he averaged 36.11 across 10 Tests. Despite a massive 232-run knock against Sri Lanka in January, Khawaja struggled for consistency throughout the year, only breaking an 11-month half-century drought during the Adelaide Test.
“I think this will be Usman’s farewell Test match. I don’t think it’s a token selection; they obviously picked him for Melbourne, so if they’ve gone that way, you pick him for Sydney as well. But I think he’ll retire after this Test match… I’d love to see Uz make a hundred at the SCG and walk away on a high because not many people get that opportunity.” Clarke was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports.
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SCG showdown: The 87-Test veteran’s performance so far
Khawaja’s journey through the 2025-26 Ashes has been anything but smooth, marked by injury, positional shifts, and fluctuating form. After missing the start of the series due to back spasms and being sidelined for the Brisbane Test, Khawaja received a late reprieve in Adelaide following a last-minute injury to Steve Smith.
In that match, he showed flashes of his classic resilience, scoring a vital 82 and 40 from the middle order to help Australia clinch the series early. However, his fortunes dipped sharply at the MCG, where he managed scores of just 29 and 0 as the Australian batting lineup crumbled under England’s aggressive attack.
Head coach Andrew McDonald has firmly dismissed retirement rumors, noting that Khawaja has given no personal indication that Sydney will be his final game. As the series moves to the SCG, a venue where Khawaja averages a staggering 87.50 with four centuries to his name, the veteran finds himself at a crossroads. Whether he uses the familiar surroundings to notch one last massive score or follows Clarke’s advice to walk away on a high, his presence will be the primary focal point of the New Year’s Test.
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