Australia have announced the squad for the fifth and final Test of the Ashes 2025-26 series, which is set to commence on Saturday, January 3, in Sydney. The selectors have stuck with the same 15-man squad for the match at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with Steve Smith leading the side in the absence of Pat Cummins.
Australia suffered a four-wicket loss to England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The match ended in two days, and International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee Jeff Crowe rated the pitch as unsatisfactory after 36 wickets fell across the match. It was Australia’s first home Test defeat to England in 15 years.
Australia Announce Squad for Fifth Test Against England in Ashes 2025-26
Australia have shown faith in their current group by retaining the same 15-man squad for the final Test of the Ashes at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The decision was confirmed on Thursday as Steve Smith and his teammates regrouped in Sydney for their first training session since last week’s defeat to England.
Pat Cummins missed the first two Ashes Tests against England because of a recurring lower back injury. The same issue had already ruled him out of several international matches, including an ODI series against India in Australia.
Cummins returned for the third Test at the Adelaide Oval and captained Australia. However, the team rested him for the next two Test matches to manage his workload and keep him fit ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026, which is set to take place in India and Sri Lanka in February and March.
Squad for Fifth Ashes Test Against England in Sydney:
Steve Smith (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
Hosts Face Key Selection Calls Ahead of Fifth Ashes Test in Sydney
The home team will head into the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney with several selection questions still open, despite naming an unchanged squad. Coach Andrew McDonald has confirmed that Usman Khawaja will be included in the batting lineup.
There has been debate around Cameron Green, who has struggled for runs throughout the series. Meanwhile, Beau Webster is set to rejoin the Test squad in Sydney after a Big Bash appearance. He has spent the series on the bench despite impressive Test numbers with both bat and ball.
The quick turnaround from the Boxing Day Test puts Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland in a good position to play again, but selectors still need to finalise the XI with important World Test Championship points on the line.
The home team went without a specialist spinner in the previous match, but Todd Murphy could come back into contention. While the SCG has recently favoured pace more than spin, Murphy may still play a role in the series finale.
Also read: Usman Khawaja retirement: Ex-England captain warns ‘Don’t Let Them Decide’ amid Ashes 2025-26
