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Fourth Ashes Test, Melbourne (day four):
England 513 beat Australia 98 & 258 by an innings and 157 runs
Match scorecard
England cleaned up Australia's tail to win the fourth Test in Melbourne and retain the Ashes for the first time in 24 years with a match to spare.
Resuming 246 runs behind on 169-6 but with Ryan Harris unable to bat through injury, the hosts were 258 all out.
Chris Tremlett, Graeme Swann and Tim Bresnan took one wicket apiece as England won by an innings and 157 runs.
The tourists are now 2-1 up and will win their first series down under since 1986-87 if they avoid defeat in Sydney.
This was England's heaviest victory against Australia since 1956 and one they fully deserved after dominating their opponents with both bat and ball from the get-go.
Andrew Strauss's men showed immense character and skill to bounce back from a comprehensive defeat in Perth, although they were aided by a bitterly disappointing performance from Australia.
While questions surrounding Ricky Ponting's future as captain are likely to intensify in the coming days, his side could yet salvage a share of the spoils when the final Test starts on 2 January.
But for that to happen they would have to experience a dramatic about-turn in form and - if this evidence is anything to go by - England will not exactly be quaking in their boots.
More to follow.
Listen to commentary highlights from the day three of the fourth Test (UK users only)
TMS podcast: Agnew and Boycott's review (available worldwide)
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England 513 beat Australia 98 & 258 by an innings and 157 runs
Match scorecard
England cleaned up Australia's tail to win the fourth Test in Melbourne and retain the Ashes for the first time in 24 years with a match to spare.
Resuming 246 runs behind on 169-6 but with Ryan Harris unable to bat through injury, the hosts were 258 all out.
Chris Tremlett, Graeme Swann and Tim Bresnan took one wicket apiece as England won by an innings and 157 runs.
The tourists are now 2-1 up and will win their first series down under since 1986-87 if they avoid defeat in Sydney.
This was England's heaviest victory against Australia since 1956 and one they fully deserved after dominating their opponents with both bat and ball from the get-go.
Andrew Strauss's men showed immense character and skill to bounce back from a comprehensive defeat in Perth, although they were aided by a bitterly disappointing performance from Australia.
While questions surrounding Ricky Ponting's future as captain are likely to intensify in the coming days, his side could yet salvage a share of the spoils when the final Test starts on 2 January.
But for that to happen they would have to experience a dramatic about-turn in form and - if this evidence is anything to go by - England will not exactly be quaking in their boots.
More to follow.
Listen to commentary highlights from the day three of the fourth Test (UK users only)
TMS podcast: Agnew and Boycott's review (available worldwide)
Print Sponsor
Online Business Consulting | Internet Business Consulting