Post by : Meena Ariff

Australia secured a hard-fought victory in the fifth and final Ashes Test against England on Thursday, winning by five wickets and completing a dominant 4-1 series triumph. This win was a perfect farewell for Usman Khawaja, who retired from international cricket after a successful career spanning 88 Test matches.

Chasing a target of 160 runs set by England, Australia faced some nervous moments as they lost five wickets in their innings. Despite the pressure, they reached the target comfortably after lunch on the fifth day, thanks to important contributions from Cameron Green, who was not out on 22 runs, and wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who supported him with 16 runs.

The Australian team lost early wickets, with openers Travis Head and Jake Weatherald scoring 29 and 34 runs respectively before getting out. Captain Steve Smith added 12 runs to the total, while Khawaja, playing in his final Test match, managed just six runs in his last innings.

Marnus Labuschagne played a crucial role in the chase, making 37 runs after being dropped on 20. However, he unfortunately ran himself out, giving England’s bowlers a brief chance to get back into the game when Australia’s score was 121 for five.

Despite the setback, Australia’s victory was never seriously in doubt. England’s earlier innings was boosted by Jacob Bethell’s stylish and powerful 154 runs, but the home team was eventually bowled out for 342 runs. This total was not enough to stop Australia’s strong performance throughout the series.

The Ashes series saw Australia dominate with consistent performances both with bat and ball, and this final match victory was a fitting end to the campaign. Usman Khawaja, who announced his retirement before the game, was given a memorable send-off by his teammates and fans alike, celebrating a career marked by resilience and important contributions to Australian cricket.

#Global News #Sports News