Ronball returns, a tribute to an Aussie great and Travis Head's funny England sledge: Inside Australia's Ashes celebrations
Steve Smith and Pat Cummins took to the stage on Thursday afternoon at the Sydney Cricket Ground, beaming with delight.
The pair picked up the Waterford Crystal trophy together and hoisted it high into the air, as their team-mates jumped up and down in celebration as they celebrated their Ashes triumph.
After taking a 3-0 unassailable lead in Adelaide, the hosts wrapped up the summer series in Sydney by claiming a five-wicket victory against England to end the series 4-1.
Nerves had started to creep in for the Baggy Greens on day five of the fifth Test, as England's bowlers came out firing, taking five wickets as Australia chased down their lead of 160.
A glimmer of hope, albeit very slim, arose among the English camp, but their hopes of snatching victory in the fifth Test were not meant to be.
Cameron Green and Alex Carey would partner to hit the final runs to seal victory.
The Australian's headed back into the bar at the SCG where the playing group enjoyed a few cold beers and even filled the Waterford Crystal trophy up with beer. Jake Weatherald (left) was seen wearing a 'Ronball' shirt
Injured Aussie skipper Pat Cummins posed for a photo with his partner Becky and their baby Edi at the SCG
Australia have held the Ashes since January 2017 and emotions were high inside the ground, with the Baggy Greens now having held the urn since 2017.
Family members of the Aussie team began to make their way onto the field after the trophy presentation had taken place.
Travis Head was seen posing for a photo with his partner Jess in front of the SCG pavilion.
Pat Cummins, who missed the Sydney Test due to a back injury, was also seen playing with his two young kids, Albie and Edi on the pitch.
His wife, Becky, was also pictured on the field, and she and the skipper also stopped to pose for a quick picture. Cummins also published a group of pictures on Instagram with the caption: 'Same old Aussies.'
Head, meanwhile, was pressed on who would be leading the celebrations after the SCG victory. Like Cummins, he also shared a few snaps on social media, writing: 'F***EN BANG'.
The South Australian had led the celebrations after Australia claimed a 3-0 lead in the series in Adelaide, treating his team-mates to jugs of his very own Headliner Spritz - an apple and watermelon gin cocktail.
But while speaking with ABC, the Aussie larrikin revealed that he didn't want to lead the party tonight, instead revealing the one Aussie star who could.
After taking a 3-0 unassailable lead in Adelaide, the hosts wrapped up the summer series in Sydney by claiming a five-wicket victory against England to end the series 4-1
Travis Head was seen posing for a photo with his partner Jess in front of the SCG pavilion.
Aussie stars (L-R) Marnus Labuschagne, Beau Webster and Brendon Doggett chilled out with a few cold beverages on the Sydney outfield
'I don't know if I'm fully the celebration guy,' he explained to ABC.
'I reckon Slug's got a twinkle in his eye,' he added.
Head was referring to his team-mate Beau Webster, who is affectionately nicknamed 'Slug'.
'I said on stage, it's Sydney... I'll do Adelaide and I sorted it,' Head said.
His wife, Jess, revealed after their party in Adelaide that Travis hadn't gotten home until past 3am. He was seen the next day at the Penfolds wine estate, enjoying a few drinks with his partner and their friends.
'It was a pretty good party in Adelaide... don't worry about that,' Head added.
'Sydney, it's gonna be the Sydney-siders who organise it.
'But I reckon Slug's got a twinkle in his eye and [Josh] Inglis. You've got to watch out for him tonight.'
Head's Jamie Smith sledge
The South Australian also hinted that the team could enjoy a few drinks with their England opponents tonight, while dishing up a sledge to Jamie Smith.
Head, the man of the match and the top run-scorer of the series, said that he would be hoping to sit down with the England gloveman to compare who had the worst dismissal.
On Thursday, the Australian had attempted to swipe Josh Tongue away to cover, but mis-hit the shot, sending the ball careering straight up into the air. Brydon Carse took the catch, with Head having faced only 35 balls.
It came after Smith had flailed at a shot on Monday, which was branded as 'brainless' by former England bowler Steven Finn.
'I thought, I wonder what it'd be like sitting in their dressing room sometimes and playing a pretty rank shot,' Head said to ABC.
'I'll have a beer with Jamie Smith later and we can compare whose was worse,' he quipped.
It came after captain Steve Smith said the side had invited the Bazballers in for a post-series drink.
'I'm not sure what the plan is tonight,' the skipper said.
'We'll go back in the sheds, I think the English will come in for a drink. We've invited them in - don't laugh [pointing at journalists] - so hopefully they come in for a drink.
'We'll see where the night takes us.'
Head has dished up a sledge to Jamie Smith after the England star's disappointing dismissal during England's first innings in Sydney
Steve Smith (right) said his side had invited Ben Stokes' (pictured) team in for a drink after the match
Ronball returns
The Aussies spent some time out on the cricket pitch, signing autographs and greeting fans who had made their way onto the field, before heading back into the stadium.
The group gathered in one of the rooms backstage and cracked open a few cold beers.
Interestingly, Jake Weatherald and Cameron Green were the only Aussie stars seen wearing a 'Ronball' T-shirt.
The group had donned the funny shirts that had featured a cartoon image of coach Andrew McDonald on the front with his pads on, after they had sealed an unassailable 3-0 victory in Adelaide.
The Ronball jerseys had also been a dig at England's Bazballers.
The Aussies gathered in a bar area at the SCG and sat around in a circle toasting their victory.
Head had published a snap of the scenes on Instagram and showed that the group had filled up the crystal urn halfway with beer.
A tribute to an Aussie great
After the crowds had left the stadium, the Australians walked back onto the pitch and paid tribute to their team-mate Usman Khawaja.
Grounds staff had painted a message on the pitch to the retiring batsman, which read: 'Thanks Uzzie'.
The group stood on the tribute and linked arms. They stood shoulder to shoulder as Carey and Khawaja stepped into the middle of the circle to lead the team in a chorus of Under The Southern Cross I Stand.
Khawaja welcomed his family onto the field after the match. He posed for photos with his partner Rachel, their two little girls and his parents before opening up on his final game of Test cricket.
'I've got to be honest, it was very tough,' Khawaja said after the match.
'I was trying to act cool, but the whole Test match, I found it really hard to control my emotions. I prided myself on being able to control my emotions my whole career.
Khawaja welcomed his family onto the field after the match. He posed for photos with his partner Rachel, their two little girls
Khawaja retires after scoring a sensational 62229 runs across 88 Test matches for Australia
His parents, Fozia and Tariq, were also at teh SCG to celebrate the special day
'I haven't given away too much to the opposition or to anyone. I found it really hard to concentrate a lot.
Khawaja retires after scoring a sensational 62229 runs across 88 Test matches for Australia.
The 39-year-old added: 'It's just so hard to go out there and concentrate.
'But look, I'm glad we got the win, got over the line, and it's something I'll cherish for the rest of my life. Being able to finish here at the SCG.
'Everyone's been so great. I'm so grateful to have the career I've had, and I can just finally relax.'
