Overview
- Australia have already clinched the Ashes 3-1, with the fifth Test scheduled to start on January 4 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
- Selectors retained the same 15-man group for the finale, confirming Steve Smith as stand-in captain with Pat Cummins rested.
- Usman Khawaja will front a Friday press conference in Sydney to discuss his Test future after weeks of external retirement chatter.
- Head coach Andrew McDonald says there have been no internal talks about Khawaja retiring and he has no indication the opener will step away in Sydney.
- Travis Head voiced hope to restore the post-series drinks tradition with England, a custom that faltered in 2023 after tensions during the Lord’s saga.