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Jos Buttler's Ashes series is over, with the England wicketkeeper to fly home with a badly-injured finger.
England's walking wounded are counting the costs of one of the country's gutsiest Test draws this century after they fought through the pain barrier at the SCG.
Within an hour of avoiding any chance of an Ashes whitewash on a gruelling final day, England confirmed Jos Buttler had batted with a broken finger and his series was over.
The England wicketkeeper will immediately fly back to the UK on Monday for treatment, with a Test tour of the West Indies due for March.
The tourists will also continue to sweat on the fitness of Jonny Bairstow (thumb) and Ben Stokes (side strain) for Hobart, after they too batted through the pain on Sunday.
Stokes lasted 123 balls in clear discomfort, Bairstow 105 and Buttler 38 as England's side became just the second team in Ashes history to draw a Test while nine down in the second innings.
Stokes and Bairstow will now be assessed further in Hobart, after the the latter did not field and the former couldn't bowl after the Sydney injuries.
"There was clearly a bit of pain relief required," England captain Joe Root said.
"A lot of the guys could see a number of players hurting physically and still putting in a huge amount.
"In many ways it lifted the rest of the group.
"Knowing that you're going into a high-pressured situation not 100 per cent and then still be able to perform at the level that some of the guys did.
"It was phenomenal really."
Root hailed the effort as one of the gutsiest he had seen, a week after England were all out for 68 at the MCG to surrender the Ashes.
In the time since they have also battled a COVID scare, with daily PCR tests between matches that stand-in coach Graham Thorpe admitted were wearing players down mentally.
Regular coach Chris Silverwood was also sidelined by the virus, as well as three other members of England's coaching staff.
"It's certainly one of (the gutsiest draws)," Root said.
"It was hugely important. Especially at the back of the previous Test match. It was probably one of the darkest day for English Test cricket.
"It'd be very easy for us to roll over and feel sorry for ourselves.
"We didn't win the Test and we were a very long way behind the game.
"But to still find a way to get a draw from where we were, it shows the amount of character and desire and pride the guys feel when they put on an England shirt."
Meanwhile, England have confirmed their coaching staff will rejoin them for Adelaide, with the outbreak seemingly now over.
Sam Billings has also been called into the squad as cover for Buttler, and will join the team in Hobart pending another negative PCR test.
Assuming Bairstow also can't keep with his finger, Ollie Pope would be another option to take the gloves after filling in the role as a sub fielder in Sydney.
