Australia seal 4-1 Ashes win after nervy chase

Australia claimed a 4-1 Ashes series win following their five-wicket victory in the fifth Test at the SCG. Set 160 to win, a swift 62-run opening stand laid the foundation before a steady 40-run partnership between Alex Carey and Cameron Green got them over the line despite a brief stutter on a challenging fifth-day pitch.

England resumed on 302/8, with Matthew Potts hitting a boundary off the first ball. Jacob Bethell reached 150, and the first hour saw multiple DRS reviews—two unsuccessful ones from Australia and a successful LBW reversal for Bethell against Scott Boland.

Mitchell Starc claimed both wickets to fall, dismissing Bethell caught behind and Josh Tongue caught at mid-off, taking his series tally to 31 wickets.

In Australia's chase, Travis Head provided a flying start. England burned a review in the first over and were frustrated in the seventh when third umpire Kumar Dharmasena upheld a caught-behind decision against Jake Weatherald despite inconclusive evidence.

Australia's openers scored quickly, but Tongue struck twice before Lunch, removing both. Post-break, with 87 needed, England created chances. Will Jacks bowled Steve Smith shortly after lunch, and Jacob Bethell dropped a tough catch off Marnus Labuschagne at gully.

Usman Khawaja was bowled chopping on, and Labuschagne was run out next over, sparking England's hopes. Cameron Green survived two run-out scares off one delivery as Australia looked unsettled, but Carey sealed the win with a driven four in the 32nd over.

Brief Scores:
England 384 (Joe Root 160; Michael Neser 4-60) & 342 (Jacob Bethell 154; Beau Webster 3-64) lost to Australia 567 (Travis Head 163; Josh Tongue 3-97) & 161/5 (Marnus Labuschagne 37; Josh Tongue 3-42) by 5 wickets.