Sydney cricket history was rewritten this week, with more than 200,000 fans attending the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

A total of 211,032 people passed through the gates, breaking a crowd record that had stood since 1946.

The previous mark of 195,253 was set in a 1946 Test against England, when Australia’s Don Bradman and Sid Barnes both scored 234 in the first innings.

What a series! I’m not sure whether to feel happy or sad now.

29
The number of days until the 2026 Winter Olympics, which Italy will host in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo. In a boost for Australia’s medal hopes ahead of the Games, Laura Peel claimed her first World Cup win of the season in women’s aerials at Lac-Beauport in Canada. The 36-year-old scored 113.76 points to finish ahead of American Winter Vinecki and China’s Xu Mengtao.

"As a former athlete, I find this particularly appalling. Those of us who have competed know what it takes to succeed the right way - through talent, dedication, and respect for the rules.”
Jack Buckner, the CEO of United Kingdom Athletics, in a statement responding to the news that British Olympian Reece Prescod intends to compete in the Enhanced Games. Prescod, who is the fourth-fastest 100m runner in British history, announced he would be joining the controversial event in a statement to The Times. The Enhanced Games is a proposed multi-sport event (swimming, athletics, weightlifting) in which athletes are permitted to use performance-enhancing drugs that are usually prohibited by anti-doping bodies.

Boxing legend George Foreman named all five of his sons George Edward Foreman, using Roman numerals and nicknames to tell them apart. When asked about the naming convention in an interview in 2021, Foreman said: “I wanted them to have something in common ... I tell them if one goes up, we all go up. If one gets in trouble, we’re all in trouble…I tell them, either live up to the name or change it.”

🚴‍♂️ British cyclist Simon Yates has announced his retirement from the sport at 33, bringing an end to a 13-year career that included victories in two Grand Tours. Yates, who won the Giro d’Italia last year, said: “I am deeply proud of what I have managed to achieve and equally grateful for the lessons that came with it. While the victories will always stand out, the harder days and setbacks were just as important.” He leaves cycling with 36 professional wins.

🏏 19-year-old Oliver Peake sealed a four-wicket win for the Melbourne Renegades with a six on the final ball against the Perth Scorchers in Perth. Chasing 128, the Renegades recovered from a late wobble before Peake finished the match off the final delivery. Peake now leaves the BBL to captain Australia at the Under-19 World Cup, heading straight from the ground to the airport.

🏀 In the NBL’s Ignite Cup, the Cairns Taipans secured a narrow 83-82 win over Melbourne United in Bendigo, holding on after fading late in their previous two games. Jack McVeigh and Sam Waardenburg led the Taipans with 20 points each. The win is their sixth of the NBL26 season. The NBL Ignite Cup is the NBL’s mid-season tournament, where teams play a short, round-robin series that counts toward the regular season and determines a standalone cup champion and prize pool.

Sometimes new gear is the motivation you need to start moving

MoveActive’s Pilates range makes rolling out your mat something to actually look forward to. Comfy, supportive, and made to move with you, it’s perfect whether you’re just starting out or trying to nail your next flow.

From stretch to strength, every piece is designed to keep you feeling good while you move. Treat yourself to gear that actually makes Pilates feel fun, not like a chore.

Football Australia is expected to investigate allegations of racial abuse during an A-League Men match between Melbourne City and Brisbane Roar at AAMI Park on Tuesday night.

Here is what to know.

Football Australia is set to review complaints that Brisbane Roar striker Justin Vidic was racially abused by Melbourne City forward Medin Memeti during City’s 1-0 win on Tuesday.

The allegation centres on Memeti allegedly calling Vidic a “gypsy”, a term widely regarded as derogatory in the Balkan region. Vidic, who is of Serbian descent, was seen confronting Memeti at full time as tensions escalated following a late scuffle involving multiple players.

Memeti later downplayed the incident, saying that Vidic was “a bit cut because he lost.”

If Football Australia determines there is sufficient evidence, Memeti could face the governing body’s disciplinary and ethics committee for discriminatory language, which carries the penalty of a lengthy suspension. 

In 2017, goalkeeper Dean Bouzanis was handed a five-match ban for using the same term.

Enjoying the newsletter?

If you are, why not share the love with your friends? We’d love your help in getting the word out there.

Send them this link to sign up.

Australia has won the fifth and final Ashes Test, defeating England by five wickets at the Sydney Cricket Ground to seal a 4–1 series victory. Australian fast bowler Mitchell Starc, who took 31 wickets across the series, was named Player of the Series.

Here’s what to know.

Australia began the final innings chasing 160 runs on a deteriorating day-five pitch, after Jacob Bethell starred in England’s second innings. The 22-year-old was a rare positive for the tourists, scoring 154 to give England a late chance.

A steady start from Travis Head (29 runs) and Jake Weatherald (34 runs) set Australia up, but late wickets brought tension into the chase. With 39 runs still required and five wickets down, a calm, unbeaten stand between Alex Carey (16 runs) and Cameron Green (22 runs) steadied the hosts and guided them home.

Head was named Player of the Match after scoring his third century of the series in the first innings. Starc claimed Player of the Series honours after leading Australia’s bowling attack in the absence of fellow pace bowlers Josh Hazlewood and captain Pat Cummins, who featured only once.

Stand-in captain Steve Smith said: "Everyone has stood up at different times throughout the series, and that's what makes a good team - trusting each other and different guys standing up in different scenarios. It's just a great side to be a part of."

The match also marked the final Test appearance of Usman Khawaja. England formed a guard of honour as he walked out to bat in his final innings, where he made six runs before being bowled by England’s Josh Tongue.

“It means a lot. So much has gone into it,” Khawaja said. “I was trying to act cool, but the whole Test match I found it hard to manage my emotions.”

The 39-year-old debuted in 2011 and finishes his Test career with 88 matches and more than 6,000 runs.

England, who have not won the men’s Ashes since 2015, will host the next series in 2027.

Australia’s women’s team will next take centre stage, hosting India next month in a multi-format series featuring three T20s, three ODIs, and one Test match.