“It means a lot,” Khawaja told Fox. “The game of cricket is so great. As much as I wanted to go out there and score runs and hit the winning runs, I am so grateful for one last final win and to celebrate with my teammates.
“I was trying to act cool, but the whole Test match I found it really hard to control my own emotions. It’s something I’ll cherish for the rest of my life, being able to finish here at the SCG. Everyone has been so great. I can finally just relax.”
Labuschagne was run out for an important 37 off 40 balls to leave Australia precariously placed at 5-121, still requiring 39 runs to win, before Cam Green (22) and Alex Carey (16) steered Australia home despite some nervous moments.
Carey, whose glovework and batting have been sensational this series, hit the winning runs with a cover drive to the boundary.
Despite the scare, Australia will be satisfied to have heaped more misery on an England squad that has underperformed in almost every aspect.
In the past 20 Ashes Tests played on Australian soil since the start of the 2013-14 series, England have managed one victory – a two-day affair in Melbourne last month on a pitch later rated “unsatisfactory” by the International Cricket Council.
Bazball has been belted into oblivion, leaving England coach Brendon McCullum under pressure following a failed campaign against an Australian side missing Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon for most of the series, as well as injured fast bowler Josh Hazlewood for all of it.
Tensions threatened to boil over during the run chase when a confrontation between England seamer Brydon Carse and Australia pair Jake Weatherald (34) and Travis Head (29) followed another episode of DRS controversy.
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England believed they had Weatherald caught behind, but the on-field not out decision was upheld on review, leaving Carse furious. A heated exchange with umpire Ahsan Raza followed before Ben Stokes intervened.
Weatherald and Carse exchanged words, before Carse and Head made light contact as they walked alongside each other.
Australia kept their composure, however, to finish the job and leave Khawaja a happy man.
More to come
