According to recent reports from Code Sports, Australia will enter the Sydney Test with an unchanged squad; However, changes may be made to the playing eleven as Australia prepare to play their first match of 2026.
The year 2025 may be over, but not the Ashes. The final match of the Ashes is to be played from January 4 in the Australian summer. This will be the first red-ball game of the new year between the two giants of world cricket.
Australia have already sealed victory in the Ashes, but will clearly be looking to continue their winning streak in the WTC; On the other hand, England are trying to save their ‘baseball’ reputation by getting their second win.
No changes in Australia’s team for Sydney Test – report
Australia has been announcing its team before every match and has made some changes on every occasion in these Ashes. The teams have been announced based on the availability of players, as they are battling several injuries.
Although the Australian team lost their first match of the series at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, they would go into the final match of the series with the same unchanged team. However, the hosts lost their first Ashes Test on home soil since 2011.
This means that Pat Cummins will not be a part of the team again and Steve Smith will play the role of captain of the Australian team. The Australian legend lost only his third match as Test captain for the Australian team.
Australian team for the fifth Ashes Test at SCG
The team will remain the same, which means experienced left-handed Australian batsman Usman Khawaja will remain with the Australian team amid retirement rumours. However, Khawaja may play his last game at the SCG before announcing his retirement.
The Australian management still retained their confidence in Marnus Labuschagne, who was in seriously poor form in the Ashes series, coming off a promising season in the Sheffield Shield. Cameron Green may be rested after a very poor performance with the bat.
Team for the fifth test: 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 and Beau Webster.
Beau Webster, Josh Inglis and Todd Murphy will return before the fifth Test
Just after the fourth Test, Josh Inglis and Beau Webster were released from the Australian team to play for their respective teams in the Big Bash League. Beau Webster played for the Hobart Hurricanes in the match against the Renegades.
Josh Inglis also played for the Perth Scorchers in Sydney against the Sydney Thunder. After playing one-off matches, he is scheduled to return to Australia before preparing for the final Ashes Test.
Also read: Cricket Australia removes Pat Cummins as captain, announces ‘best Test XI of 2025’
