Australia's head coach, Andrew McDonald, has bluntly stated that the Ashes series is effectively over, despite one final Test match remaining against England at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
Ashes Secured, Focus Shifts to WTC
Speaking ahead of the fifth and final Test, which begins on Sunday, McDonald emphasised that the primary goal for his side is now securing points for the World Test Championship (WTC). Australia clinched the series and retained the urn after racing to a 3-0 lead within just 11 days, following victories in Perth, Brisbane, and Adelaide.
"The Ashes is secure, that's done. The Ashes are done," McDonald declared at a net session. "There is a Test match against England that contributes to the World Test Championship and that's what we're hungry for, to bank more points around that."
He acknowledged that his pragmatic view might not be popular, but insisted the scoreline's main significance now is its impact on the WTC table. "The scoreline will just mean either more WTC points or less; I know that sounds simplistic and it's probably not what people want to hear," he added. "It's England and Australia, it's an Ashes Test, but the Ashes were done at 3-0."
England Fight Back, But Series Lost
Australia's hopes for a historic 5-0 whitewash were dashed in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), where England secured a morale-boosting victory inside two days. The teams will now reconvene at the SCG, with the hosts targeting an emphatic 4-1 series win, while England aim to salvage pride and make the final scoreline 3-2.
Farewell for Khawaja at the SCG?
The Sydney Test is also shrouded in speculation that it could mark the end of the international career for veteran batter Usman Khawaja. The 39-year-old was dropped mid-series but earned a late recall for the third Test after Steve Smith's withdrawal, subsequently moving from opener to the middle order.
With Australia's next red-ball assignment not until they face Bangladesh in August, the SCG Test – Khawaja's home ground – is seen as a likely farewell. McDonald joked about the precedent set by David Warner's multiple 'final' Tests, suggesting the crowd will be supportive regardless of an official announcement.
"I'm pretty sure if he makes no statement on his future before the Test, the crowd will still be very supportive of him and clap and cheer him," McDonald said. He added that the selection panel has ample time to consider Khawaja's future, stating, "We've got eight months until the next one so we've got a lot of time... to make that decision."
