The Ashes 5th Test AUS vs ENG 2026: Date & Time, Full Squads, Playing XIs and More

The fifth and final Test of The Ashes 2025-26 is set to be played at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). While Australia have already sealed the series 3–1, the last Test still promises drama, pride, and plenty of debate around the pitch.

Match Details

• Match: Australia vs England, 5th Test
• Series: The Ashes 2025–26
• Date: Today
• Time: 10:30 AM Local | 11:30 PM GMT
• Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney

Now, build-up around the pitches in this series has become a new normal, but the SCG's green turf has caught everyone's attention. While the pitches in this series were labelled as "flat pitches," the SCG surface has dominated conversations even before the first ball is bowled.

The pitch has looked unusually green days ahead of the Test, raising concerns after recent short-lived matches in the series. With curators, cricket administrators, and even the Prime Minister keeping a close eye, the pressure is on to deliver a surface that offers a fair contest between bat and ball.

Australia Squad

• Pat Cummins (c)
• Steven Smith
• Usman Khawaja
• Marnus Labuschagne
• Travis Head
• Cameron Green
• Alex Carey
• Josh Inglis
• Mitchell Starc
• Scott Boland
• Nathan Lyon
• Michael Neser
• Beau Webster
• Jake Weatherald
• Brendan Doggett

With Nathan Lyon ruled out, all eyes are on Todd Murphy, who could finally get a chance to play his first home Test and lead Australia’s spin attack. However, with the green surface, Australia might go with a full-fledged pace attack.

England Squad

• Ben Stokes (c)
• Joe Root
• Zak Crawley
• Ben Duckett
• Ollie Pope
• Harry Brook
• Jamie Smith
• Gus Atkinson
• Brydon Carse
• Matthew Potts
• Josh Tongue
• Jofra Archer
• Shoaib Bashir
• Will Jacks
• Jacob Bethell
• Matthew Fisher

England’s Confirmed XII: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Jacob Bethell, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes, Jamie Smith, Brydon Carse, Will Jacks, Matthew Potts, Josh Tongue, Shoaib Bashir