Sydney, Australia, is 16 hours ahead of the United States' East Coast, meaning it is already Jan. 1, 2026, down under. So Australians already switched their calendars to 2026, while it was only 8 a.m. in New York City, and most folks on the West Coast hadn't even rolled out of bed yet.

Jacob Bethell remains England's only hope on the fifth and final day as they look to build more on their overnight lead of 119 with 2 wickets left. Check out the live score and updates, right here

Joe Root makes his second hundred of the series, while Travis Head closes in on his third, as Day 2 of the final Ashes test between Australia and England ends evenly poised.

Police in Australia's New South Wales state said on Saturday they would bolster staffing at the Sydney Cricket Ground for the fifth Ashes test starting on Sunday, weeks after gunmen killed 15 people at a Jewish event in the city.

It jars that Sydney is a city of cricketing endings. Circular Quay, flanked by the shimmering Opera House and magnificent Harbour Bridge, is a place of inspiration. The fireworks of new year's eve signal spectacular renewal.

Police with long-armed rifles, a rarity at sporting events in Australia, will patrol the final Ashes cricket test in Sydney starting Sunday as part of heightened security measures following the Bondi Beach terror attack in the city.

Australia pulled a 138-year first Sunday by failing to pick a spinner for a Sydney Cricket Ground Test, with skipper Steve Smith saying he had been backed into a corner.

Elvis Presley fans and tribute artists kicked off their annual journey to the Elvis Festival in the Australian regional town of Parkes on Wednesday.

In the United Cup Sydney quarterfinals, Belgium faces Czechia on Jan. 8, and Poland battles host nation Australia on Jan. 9. Czechia's 4-2 match record was the best among second-place finishers.