The fifth and final Test of the ongoing Ashes series between Australia and England will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 4 to 8. For the red-ball match scheduled to start on Sunday, the Australian selectors have retained the same squad that was picked for the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne. There were suggestions that all-rounder Cameron Green might lose his place in the squad after managing to score only 112 runs in the first four matches of the ongoing series, but he has been retained along with struggling No. 3 batter Marnus Labuschagne.
However, there is still no clarity over Green’s inclusion in the playing XI for the New Year’s Test at SCG. The 26-year-old all-rounder who earned an IPL deal worth Rs 25.20 crore from Kolkata
Knight Riders in the IPL 2026 auction held in Abu Dhabi on December 16 is likely to be replaced by all-rounder Beau Webster in the playing XI.
Webster, who made his Test debut for Australia at SCG on January 3, 2025, against India, is yet to play any match of the ongoing series.
There is also a strong possibility of spinner Todd Murphy’s inclusion in Australia’s playing XI.
It will, however, be interesting to see who makes way for him.
Fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland have played all four Tests of the ongoing series for the Baggy Greens, but there are not high chances of them taking a rest for the last match of the series, especially when World Test Championship (WTC) points are up for grabs.
Fast bowler Mitchell Neser is the most likely candidate to sit out, but it shouldn’t be a surprise if the Australian team management leave Jhye Richardson out.
Australia has released its squad for Sydney, but do they need to make any moves for the next #Ashes Test?
More: https://t.co/5RRzXKNq8Q pic.twitter.com/39cpBpknbn
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 1, 2026
Australia squad for 5th Test: Steve Smith (C), Scott Boland, Alex Carey (WK), Brendan Doggett, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jhye Richardson, Mitchell Starc, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster
Atkinson out for SCG Test
England fast bowler Gus Atkinson will not play in the fifth Test. He was ruled out of the red-ball match in Sydney on Monday (December 29) due to a left hamstring injury. Atkinson, who made his Test debut for England in July 2024 against the West Indies at Lord’s, played the first, second and fourth Tests of the ongoing series in Australia.
