• The final Ashes Test is on Sydney on Sunday
• READ MORE: Heavily armed police with rifles keep Ashes cricket fans safe 

By ALLANAH SCIBERRAS FOR AUSTRALIAN ASSOCIATED PRESS and CAITLIN POWELL - NEWS REPORTER

Published: 02:05 GMT, 3 January 2026 | Updated: 02:05 GMT, 3 January 2026

Armed police will guard the final Ashes Test as part of heightened security measures in the wake of a recent terror attack in the host city.

Uniformed and mounted police along with public order and riot squad officers will patrol the sold-out match at the Sydney Cricket Ground starting on Sunday.

It comes three weeks after two gunmen killed 15 people and injured many more at a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi Beach.

The increased visibility of long-arm rifles is intended to reassure the public and there is no threat to the community heading to the SCG, NSW Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon said.

'Many people may not be used to seeing police carrying rifles at sporting events, but our objective here is to help the public feel safe and police will be out in force,' he said.

'The difference will be in the visibility of long-arms and a stronger presence. Police will otherwise be targeting antisocial and unsafe behaviour as usual.'

The measures mirror those for the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground where specialist police officers were armed with semi-automatic rifles and patrolled around the busy stadium, a nearby park, and the railway station.

There was also extra security on deck at the Adelaide Oval for the third Ashes Test in December after the horrific terror attack at Bondi Beach. 

Queues are seen outside the Sydney Cricket Ground in December

Heavily armed South Australia police patrolled the Adelaide Oval during the Third Men's Ashes Test between Australia and England in December after the Bondi Beach attack

The ramped up measures included a Security Response Section, which is comprised of general duties police officers with a higher level of training and additional equipment.

It was 'created as an extra layer of protection for people attending large events, and where large crowds gather', SA Police have said.

Seven people remain hospitalised across Sydney following the December 14 attack at Bondi. Six remain in stable condition, while one is in a critical but stable condition.

Accused murderer Naveed Akram, 24, is facing 59 charges over the attack that include 15 counts of murder. 

Akram was shot by police at the scene and spent days in a coma before being charged. His father Sajid Akram, 50, was killed by police at the scene.

The aftermath of the Bondi massacre led to unprecedented police measures across Sydney for New Year's Eve celebrations, as well as sports events.

'There'll be a number of heavily armed officers deployed across metropolitan Sydney… They'll be operational and highly visible,' Premier Chris Minns said.

He explained that new protocols mean armed officers will mingle with the crowd.

'If you see a heavily armed officer, it doesn't mean there's an active operation,' he said. 

'It means they're there in preparation for any eventuality. We want the community to see police and know they can enjoy the night without fear.'