Bucket list item still looms after Ashes domination

Scott Bailey | January 8, 2026

Steve Smith has declared an Ashes series win in England remains high on Australia’s bucket list, after his team wrapped up a 4-1 summer domination in Sydney.

Set 160 to win on the final day at the SCG on Thursday, Australia fought through a nervy mid-innings collapse on their way to a five-wicket victory.

The win wrapped up another dominant series at home, after England arrived with much bravado believing their BazBall style could finally bring success in Australia.

Australia have now held the Ashes since January 2017, with dead-rubber defeat in Melbourne last week their sole home loss in the last 20 Tests against England.

But away from home it has been a different story, drawing the last two series after entering the final Test at The Oval ahead 2-1.

Smith is yet to confirm if he will be there in 2027, continuing his series-by-series approach, but has confirmed he plans to play Australia’s next Test against Bangladesh in August. 

And the longer time goes on it appears more likely he and senior teammates will tour India and England in 2027.

“It’s something that was always on my bucket list,” Smith said. 

“I would love to have won in, you know, India and England. 

“Whether I’ll be there or not … I’m not sure. We’ll see. 

“I’ll take it day by day, game by game. One day I might wake up and say I’ve had enough, but we’ll see.”

In many ways, Sydney was emblematic of the entire series.

England had their chances to take victory, with captain Ben Stokes admitting their first-innings 384 was around 100 short with the bat.

The tourists again wasted the new ball as Smith’s and Travis Head’s centuries helped Australia to 567, and gave the hosts enough of a first-innings buffer.

Ultimately it meant that when a Marnus Labuschagne run out headlined a mini collapse from 2-92 to 5-121, Australia had enough breathing space for Alex Carey (16no) and Cameron Green (22no) to get them home.

The only sour point for Australia will be that Usman Khawaja missed a chance to hit the final runs, bowled for six by Brydon Carse in his last Test before retirement.

For England, there is regret all around.

Jacob Bethell offered hope for the future by turning his maiden first-class century into a big 154, but a heavy period of introspection looms.

Questions will be asked of Brendon McCullum’s future as coach, the team’s playing style and overall culture of the group after a tour of wasted opportunities.

Australia’s 4-1 series victory this summer will go down as one of their most impressive, considering who they have done it without.

Pat Cummins played just one Test, Josh Hazlewood was sidelined for the whole summer and Nathan Lyon bowled two overs in Perth before being hurt in Adelaide.

Khawaja and Smith both missed a Test through injury, with Smith and Cummins never on the park together.

Yet they made it work.

Head’s 69-ball century in Perth, when moved up to open for an injured Khawaja, set the tone for the summer, with more tons at the top following in Perth and Sydney.

Starc was superb without the rest of his long-time bowling mates, claiming player-of-the-series honours with 31 wickets at 19.93.

Michael Neser and Scott Boland both stood up, and Alex Carey had 28 dismissals behind the stumps and an average of 46.14 with the bat.

“I think that’s what makes a really good team,” Smith said.

“(Mitch) in particular, has been incredible. He’s led the attack in all five games. Him and Scotty playing all five games was a huge effort. 

“Trav and Alex were obviously other guys that had incredible performances throughout the series.

“Everyone else stood up at different moments.

“We won those big moments throughout the series and that’s what makes a series.”