BBC Sport

 

England are on the verge of a crushing 3-1 Ashes victory and first series win down under in 24 years.

At stumps on day four in Sydney, Australia were 213-7, 151 runs behind and staring at a third defeat by an innings in the current series.

Earlier, Matt Prior stroked 118 from 130 balls as England reached 644, their highest Test total on Australian soil.

Australia slumped from 161-4 to 171-7 allowing England to take the extra half-hour as they pressed for the win.

Steve Smith and Peter Siddle were able to play out the final few overs, but England will start the final day hoping to quickly complete a victory that appeared likely from the moment Prior took the game away from the hosts.

The wicketkeeper put on 102 with Tim Bresnan, and his century made it nine in the series for England, an Ashes record for them. The tourists were finally all out soon after lunch, but the real drama of the day was still to come.

England's three seamers each struck twice and Australia completely lost their way when the ball began to reverse swing after tea, with five wickets tumbling in the final session alone, including two in consecutive Chris Tremlett deliveries.

Predictions that the SCG wicket would deteriorate from Thursday onwards under a hot sun did not come to fruition as Prior, on 54 not out, and Bresnan, still yet to score, continued a marathon England innings at the start of the day.

Feasting on balls of full length aimed well outside off-stump - in one of the Sussex wicketkeeper's favourite areas - Prior leant into a series of drives, intelligently angled to avoid a packed field on that side, or lofted with precision over the men positioned on that side.

Bresnan, who faced 103 balls for his 35, was unable to achieve the fluency of his partner, but nevertheless got in some important batting practice before the impending one-day series.

The two right-handers ran Australia ragged in a stand of 102 from only 28.2 overs, a ground record by an England eighth-wicket pair. It was the third century stand in succession as the lower order continued a spectacular conversion from 226-5.

Shirtless England fans, having absorbed the news that Paul Collingwood had decided to make this Test his last, dealt out some fierce taunts towards seamer Mitchell Johnson, the Australian hero in Perth.

Johnson was the most expensive bowler, but enjoyed a modicum of revenge when having Bresnan caught in the slips.

Prior, too, finally had to depart, nicking a high bouncer from Ben Hilfenhaus - although the dismissal was delayed as umpire Billy Bowden radioed the third official to check Hilfenhaus had not sent down a no-ball.

The compensation for Prior was the fastest Ashes century by an Englishman since Ian Botham's memorable 118 off 102 balls at Old Trafford in 1981.

The punishment continued to be meted out, however. Graeme Swann (36) smashed 17 in a Johnson over costing 20 before the final wicket was taken in the 178th over of the innings.

Johnson finished with four wickets, but will want to forget how much they cost him - 168.

Within 20 overs of Australia's second innings, England had picked up two wickets, leaving Australia 77-2 at tea and under severe pressure.

The first breakthrough was a bonus. Shane Watson, a notably poor runner, suffered a breakdown in communication with Phillip Hughes and Kevin Pietersen's sharp pick-up and return to Prior had him run out by the length of the pitch.

Hughes's wretched performances in Ashes cricket continued when he nicked a good delivery from Bresnan to Prior, whereupon Michael Clarke came out to join Usman Khawaja in the middle.

With debutant Khawaja playing cautiously and skipper Clarke adopting a positive role, they added 65 before two James Anderson wickets derailed the Australians.

Bowling with exceptional control, Anderson first drifted one away from the left-handed Khawaja, who got an edge through to Prior.

And the same combination did for the right-handed Clarke as an excellent delivery held its line just outside off stump.

The pitch was still playing well, but England were bowling superbly, and Bresnan was next to strike when Mike Hussey picked out Pietersen at gully with a misdirected cut shot.

Somehow there was still time for Tremlett to get in on the act, and he did it by taking wickets with consecutive deliveries, Brad Haddin edging yet another testing delivery to Prior before Johnson was bowled first ball.

Andrew Strauss claimed an extra half hour to try to finish off Australia, but with the shadows lengthening Smith and Siddle showed enough nous to push the match into the final day, taking advantage of some hyper-attacking fields to add 42 runs in 10 overs.

England expatriates in the Sydney area - as well as the regular travelling supporters - could now be tempted to make a beeline to the famous old ground on the final day after it was announced entry would be free.

BBC Sport

 

England won the final Ashes Test in Sydney by an innings and 83 runs to wrap up the series 3-1 and secure their first win down under in 24 years.

Australia began play in a hopeless position at 213-7, 151 runs behind, and after a rain delay they were all out for 281 with Steve Smith not out on 54.

The crowd, made up almost entirely of England fans, was let in free and produced a superb atmosphere.

England captain Andrew Strauss said: "We're delighted with what we've done."

Peter Siddle and Steve Smith kept England's champagne on ice in the early part of the day before the players were forced off by rain after less than 25 minutes play.

When they returned 40 minutes later in glorious sunshine, Siddle finally went for 43 when slog-sweeping spinner Graeme Swann after a stand of 86.

James Anderson removed Ben Hilfenhaus before Chris Tremlett bowled Michael Beer with the score on 281.

With the second new ball almost due, Swann finally struck for the first time in the innings, and the last two wickets fell within a further six overs - Hilfenhaus providing Matt Prior with his 23rd catch of the series before Beer chopped a delivery onto his stumps.

The final wicket sparked emotional celebrations for England, while the contrast in the Australian camp could not have been starker.

The chaos in the home dressing room was underlined when Michael Clarke, the stand-in skipper for this Test, resigned from Twenty20 internationals minutes after the official presentations.

England's fans dominated the Sydney Cricket Ground with the Barmy Army's songs and chants echoing around the famous arena.

Victorious skipper Andrew Strauss joined Sir Len Hutton and Mike Brearley to become only the third England captain to win Ashes series at home and away.

"We came over here desperately wanting to win the series," said Strauss, who was captain when England regained the Ashes at home in 2009.

"Obviously in Melbourne we retained the Ashes but we really wanted to finish with a bang here in Sydney.

"All credit to the guys, they've been outstanding again, the way the bowlers bowled on day one, the batsmen dipped their bread in it again and we got another victory.

"We're certainly going to enjoy this evening, that's for sure."

Anderson, part of the England team whitewashed 5-0 in Australia four years ago, finished with 3-61 for 24 wickets in the series and the best haul by an England bowler in Australia since Frank "Typhoon" Tyson collected 28 in 1954-55.

He said: "It's been a great tour for us, an amazing sort of feeling for us retaining the Ashes last week and winning the series this week.

"I'm delighted with my form this trip, enjoying my role in the team leading the attack. My job has been made easy by the guys at the other end, Steven Finn and Stuart Broad at the start of the series and Chris Tremlett and Tim Bresnan later on, and our fielding has been amazing.

"We've been working really hard on it, the catches we've taken this series are better than any I remember in any other series."

Paul Collingwood, given the honour of leading out the England team on his final day as a Test cricketer, said: "Today is absolute number one. It's a special, special day and I can't think of a better way to step out of Test cricket. A lot of guys in the dressing room put a lot of hard work in to achieve this.

"My role in the side is to score runs, I'm disappointed I haven't done that. But four years ago I scored a double century and we lost 5-0 and I much prefer it this way round. We deserve it."

It was the first time any team had won three Tests by an innings in a single series away from home. The last time England had done it against any opponents, India, had been in 1959.

It was also the first time Australia had lost three Tests at home since 1988-89, when Viv Richards' world-beating West Indies side also won by a 3-1 margin.

Alastair Cook was both man of the match and man of the series, having hit 189 in Sydney and 766 across all five matches.

"It's been an amazing series for me, I couldn't imagine this seven weeks ago," he said.

"The double hundred [in Brisbane] was a very special moment for me and to win man of the match in the final game of the Ashes is a dream come true.

"Our bowlers have been fantastic throughout the whole series, they've made our job as batters far easier."

Kevin Pietersen hailed the team effort, saying: "It's amazing to win so convincingly in Australia. It's all credit to the team and the management.

"Every single bloke has done something to make it such a great trip.

"Every single time an occasion has been needed, one of us has stood up. I did in Adelaide, but every single bloke, player, member of the backroom staff has been outstanding."

England coach Andy Flower said the victory was an "emotional moment" for the players and the entire backroom team.

"A lot of hard work, effort, heartache and some sweat and tears go into winning any game of cricket. Over a five-match series it takes even more effort and no mean amount of skill, and I think the guys are very proud of all those things.

"We've got to enjoy it now - and share in the experience. We share the hardships along the way and we have to share the good moments too."

And British Prime Minister David Cameron paid tribute to the team, calling the series victory a "fantastic achievement".

"I've spoken to Andrew Strauss this morning and congratulated the team, coaches and everyone behind the side on this tremendous victory," said Cameron.

"Retaining the Ashes was a fantastic achievement, but winning the series really is the icing on the cake. We've seen some great sporting moments over the series and the team have provided us with some brilliant memories that I'm sure fans will talk about for years to come.

"The whole country is incredibly proud of them."

England remain third in the International Cricket Council Test rankings, but have closed the gap on second-placed South Africa to two points.

India remain at the top of the table after their series in South Africa ended in a 1-1 draw just hours before England's triumph in Sydney.

Lee Vilenski

Jan 9 2011, 06:25 PM

Cameron White?! Cammy25, come on down!

hugh

Jan 9 2011, 06:18 PM

dont really care.

BBC Sport

 

An unbeaten century from opener Ian Bell led England to a seven-wicket win in a rain-affected tour match against the Prime Minister's XI in Canberra.

Bell continued his superb Ashes form with 124 off 102 balls as England eased to a revised total of 223, after the home side had posted 254-9.

Jonathan Trott, batting at number three, added a useful 48.

Earlier, Michael Yardy and Ajmal Shazhad were the pick of the England bowlers, taking three wickets each.

The match enabled a number of players to stake their claim for selection for the first Twenty20 international against Australia, which takes place on Wednesday in Adelaide.

And it was Warwickshire right-hander Bell - who has not played a Twenty20 for his country since June 2008 - who most successfully demonstrated his credentials, in an unfamiliar opening role in the absence of the rested Andrew Strauss.

Bell's typically fluent and attractive innings ensured England remained above the required run-rate, as they chased down their revised target.

"I feel in good form," said Bell. "I just want to keep working hard now.

"It's not a matter of I've done it and I just want to sit back. There's a lot of hard work to do.

"I want to be part of this team - test cricket and one-day cricket - for a long time."

Bell was ably assisted by Steven Davies (24) in an opening stand of 82 and, more significantly Trott, with whom he added 98.

Bell offered only one real chance to the home side during his innings but Callum Ferguson spilled the catch off the bowling of Trent Copeland.

Not even a 30-minute rain delay, shortly after Bell had reached 50, could halt his momentum and he brought his century up from 89 balls.

Bell and Trott were two of four players retained from the Ashes Test side, along with stand-in skipper Paul Collingwood and Kevin Pietersen.

Pietersen - another player hoping for a recall in the short-form of the game, after he was dropped for the recent one-day series with Pakistan - added 13 late on, before he was out lbw to Brett Lee, leaving Bell to fittingly strike the winning boundary.

Earlier, there was a somewhat rusty display from the England bowling attack, which included new arrivals Chris Woakes, Luke Wright, James Tredwell and Yardy.

It was the latter who emerged with the best figures of 3-33 in an innings that began almost an hour late because of rain.

Initially, Shazhad and Woakes struggled for rhythm and were wayward as captain Tim Paine and Usman Khawaja amassed an opening stand of 75 before the latter was caught and bowled by Tredwell for 22.

Yardy then came to the fore with a double breakthrough as he claimed the key wicket of Paine (50) and Alex Keath (15) with almost identical lbw decisions.

Shazhad bowled Ferguson - who made 39 - before Yardy claimed a third wicket when Tom Thornton offered a return catch, as the hosts stumbled to 179 for five.

However, some clean hitting from Dan Christian got the innings back on track before he was caught by Pietersen off Shazhad for 53.

Woakes returned and claimed two wickets - Sam Miller caught by Collingwood and James Pattinson caught by Wright - and Shazhad bowled Xavier Doherty, but Brett Lee's unbeaten 26 ensured a competitive total.