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The Ashes LIVE: Usman Khawaja cries and kisses the SCG turf as his profession ends in disappointment

Follow Daily Mail Sport’s live blog for all the latest scores and updates from the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney.

 

Worth 1000 words

Marnus Labuschagne sits on the deck in disbelief after one of the worst bits of play by an Aussie across the entire series.

Cricket - The Ashes - Australia v England - Fifth Test - Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, Australia - January 8, 2026 Australia's Marnus Labuschagne looks dejected after losing his wicket, run out by England's Matthew Potts REUTERS/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake

Australia 5-138, 22 runs to win

Green lances one through cover for four, excellent shot to a ball that was a bit too wide from Carse.

Maiden to Root

Huge shout for getting Green caught at bat pad but that was a fair way from the willow.

Australia 5-131, need 29 to win

You can imagine the nerves in the Aussie rooms now.

This should be straightforward as they still have Webster, Starc and Neser to come, all of whom can score well.

But this is like the nervous 90s for a batsman. Crushing pressure and anything can happen.

WICKET! Labuschagne is run out, Australia 5-121 with 39 needed for the win

That’s unforgivable stuff from Marnus. He tore off up the track like a greyhound while Carey desperately screamed ‘Noooo!’

It was never on, that single.

A last kiss from Usman

Lawrence Booth on the departure of an Aussie hero…

A lovely moment as a tearful Usman Khawaja leaves the international stage for the last time, having been bowled by Josh Tongue off the inside edge for six. He soaks up the ovation, looks to the skies, then drops to his knees to kiss the SCG turf. In between, he receives a huge from Marnus Labuschagne and a pat on the back from the incoming Alex Carey.

WICKET! Khawaja chops it onto his stumps, out for six in his last innings

That dream finish of Ussie hitting the winning runs is ruined.

He blows a kiss to the crowd and drops to his knees and puts his head to the turf to kiss the grass before walking up to the sheds through the crowd.

Not the way he or the fans wanted it to end, but the depth of feeling from the crowd there tells you everything you need to know about the regard he’s held in.

Usman Khawaja of Australia is farewelled at the SCG during Day 5 of the Fifth Men's Ashes Test between Australia and England at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney, Thursday, January 8, 2026. (AAP Image/Dean Lewins) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY, IMAGES TO BE USED FOR NEWS REPORTING PURPOSES ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE WHATSOEVER, NO USE IN BOOKS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM AAP
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 08: Usman Khawaja of Australia leaves the field after his final test innings during day five of the Fifth Test in the 2025/26 Ashes Series between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 08, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

Marnus with three fours in an over, Australia 3-119

Labuschagne rubs it in with a boundary off the first of Jacks’ over, then two, then another four – this one through the air, but the man at midwicket can’t get to it.

He comes down the wicket to Jacks and sharp work from Root at bat pad puts him at risk of a run out.

Another four through cover to end the over.

DROPPED! Bethell puts down a sharp chance

Labuschagne flashed a drive at Tongue and Bethell jumped to his right, arms at full stretch, and got a hand to it, but couldn’t hang on.

The would’ve been a classic catch if he’d held it. He was fully airborne and so committed that he crashed heavily to the ground. You can’t hold that one against him.

Chance! Khawaja edges one, Australia 3-102, need 58 to win

Khawaja gets off the mark with a boundary down to fine leg.

Then he gets a life as Jacks turns one away from him and he edges it, but it doesn’t carry to Ben Stokes in the slips.

The skipper sits on the turf, raises his arms and claps that ball from Jacks, who is finding good drift and turn.

‘Dream delivery’

Here’s Lawrence Booth’s take on that peach from Jacks…

You suspect that’s too little, too late for England, but that Will Jacks delivery to bowl Steve Smith is an off-spinner’s dream. Flight and turn, he has just gated one of the best to have played the game. Out walks Usman Khawaja to a guard of honour – a nice touch from England.

Australia's Steve Smith reacts after he was dismissed during play on the last day of the fifth and final Ashes cricket test between England and Australia in Sydney, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Khawaja is cheered onto the ground with Australia at 3-92

Australia need 68 for victory. It’d be a perfect way for him to finish if he can hit the winning runs, and he shares a hug with Labuschagne as he reaches the wicket.

Key Updates

  • WICKET! Khawaja chops it onto his stumps, out for six in his last innings
  • DROPPED! Bethell puts down a sharp chance
  • WICKET! Jacks bowls Smith for 12!
  • WICKET! Weatherald out to an awful shot for 34
  • WICKET! Head skies one and goes for 29
  • Brydon Carse has to be pulled away from the umpire after VERY controversial review goes against England
  • No bump up the order from Khawaja as drama strikes on the very first ball
  • England all out for 342, lead by 159
  • WICKET! Bethell falls to Starc for 154
  • Bethell is given out LBW to Boland – but England’s review is successful
  • Broadcaster slammed for the ‘worst commentary ever heard’
  • Early honour for Usman Khawaja
  • The big question mark over Usman Khawaja
  • More bad news for Ben Stokes

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