Australia have just completed an nervy 160 run chase in the Sydney Cricket Ground to clinch the final test of the series with five wickets in hand.
This victory seals the Ashes Series for Australia with a 4-1 triumph.
The threat seemed within reach when Australia started the fifth day requiring 160, although the help provided by the SCG wicket was sufficient to keep England hooked.
The fall of wickets in a cluster and the Australians being reduced to 5-121 stirred the mood at the ground.
This remained open thanks to Josh Tongue, who led a late rally with 3-42 and asked persistent questions of an Australian middle order which had been by and large, unbothered throughout the series.
The run chase was never a collapse but it was also never a comfortable one having a wicket in it which suggested it might just take one good spell to take it into the afternoon.
Instead, a calm partnership between Cameron Green and Alex Carey steadied the innings and wrested back control as the game was dragged back onto Australia’s terms.
Carey, positive without being rash struck the winning runs to seal the test and the series in front of a full voiced Sydney crowd.
A Australia’s win closed off a series that had essentially been won early on.
Australia won the first three Tests in Perth, Brisbane and Adelaide to take the urn before a consolation victory for the English team in the fifth Test at Melbourne.
The penultimate test at Sydney became the last defination of the difference between the teams.
Despite the English limited start to the fifth day’s play, a 4-1 victory did reflect the outcome.
The best opportunity for England to get back into this contest has come from second inning resistance that has protracted this match into its fifth day.
It has taken a first innings total of 567 for Australia to be met with a second innings effort of 342 from England, who have made a statement in posting 154 from debutant Jacob Bethell, who batted in a manner that was full of defiance rather than promise.
However, the basis for the win came earlier. Travis Head received the player of the match award for his first innings hundred which marshaled Australia to an innings hundreds total which put England on the back foot for the rest of the game.
Through the five match tests, the Aussie bowling line up continued to find ways to snap partnerships while Mitchell Starc received the player of the series award with 31 wickets.
For acting captain Steve Smith this Sydney result is important well beyond its implications on the scoreboard.
One eye is on the World Test Championship table and this title saving effort in a low scoring match on a wearing surface is a steeper test prep ahead of tougher challenges down the line.
At least this final day was in celebration, as it initially teetered on the edge of soul searching.
There was also an emotional undertone for Australia with experienced opener Usman Khawaja playing what turned out to be his last Test.
The determination of the home team to complete the task at hand had an added layer when it came to supporting a senior regular in what turned out to be his last game.
England depart another series empty handed but it is not entirely devoid of hope as Bethell breaks onto the scene and a spell of impressive bowling in Sydney hints at a possible rejuvenation.
However, for Australia the tour is one of triumph as they retain the urn and triumph 4-1.
