The Ashes 2025-26 series An entertaining climax has been reached at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), which provides a masterclass in Test match theatre. EnglandDespite already conceding the Vase, Sydney arrived with a point to prove after their dramatic win on Boxing Day in Melbourne. This match has been a swinging battle of wills: England’s first innings overrun by 384 runs AustraliaA massive 567, but the visitors got a second wind on the fourth day. Powered by jacob bethelAfter a strong score of 142, England came back to score 302/8 at stumps and take a modest but psychologically significant lead of 119 runs. With just two wickets remaining and the pitch beginning to show the typical wear and tear of a SCG deck on day five, the stage is set for a final day shootout, where the momentum could change with one wicket.
Ashes 2025-26: Alastair Cook sets defensive target for England to beat Australia on Day 5 of Sydney Test
After the conclusion of the fourth day, the former England captain sir alistair cook Sat down with TNT Sports to analyze the narrow path to victory ben stokes‘Men. Cook dismissed the possibility of a draw, noting that the intense nature of the game and the deteriorating conditions of the surface made the outcome almost certain. He argued that on a fifth-day pitch, which is rare in modern Test cricket, where games are often over early, even a modest target may prove impossible if England attack early.
“I don’t think a draw is possible because there is still a lot of cricket left. However, you can say one thing about the 4th innings on the 5th day, which we don’t get very often – usually in a Test match with 3 or 4 days of cricket the pitch is quite good. We can see that this pitch will get even worse, so suddenly 160 or 220, they clearly have 2 wickets left, if they have 6 wickets left they can get 220 So defending 160 is possible if you get early Australian wickets. Cook said.
Cook’s analysis highlighted that the pressure on day five is particularly tough in Australia. He suggested that if England’s tail can swing enough to take the lead past 150, then the outside chance becomes a very real threat to the Australian batting lineup.
Ashes 2025-26: Cook identifies specific wickets England should claim for Australian collapse
In the final section of his analysis, Cook identified specific wickets that England should claim for the Australian collapse. he pointed travis head As a final reward, noting that his aggressive style is the engine of Australia’s “flying start”. Cook believes that without Head snatching away the game, the English bowlers could develop a sense of nervousness that has been missing for most of the series.
“England especially have to get Travis Head out. They got Travis Head out, Australia don’t get a good start, they could suddenly be 30/3. One or two sudden bursts, you get Steve Smith down the gully thinking he can’t play, then suddenly you can believe that. We have actually seen a number of matches in the past here in Australia where the score has been difficult to chase down. England haven’t got the specialist spinner they would have liked, but this is an outside chance. He’s given himself a chance, so you never know.” Cook concluded.
Cook concluded by acknowledging that while England have been disadvantaged by the lack of frontline spinners to exploit the SCG cracks, the psychological weight of the Ashes means belief is often more powerful than technical advantage. If England find a way to get Smith and Head out cheaply, the SCG could witness one of the great final day contests in Ashes history.
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