The tourists posted their highest-ever score in Australia on 644 and dismissed the hapless hosts for 280 and 281. It was England's first series victory Down Under since Mike Gatting's team beat Australia 2-1 in 1986-87.
Updated from print edition (below)
England set to conquer Australia
Relentless England were inching towards their first series victory Down Under in 24 years after humbling Australia on the fourth day in the final Sydney Ashes Test.
Needing either a win or a draw to take the series, England posted their highest-ever score in Australia of 644 and then ripped through the host’s batting order, taking seven wickets by close. England, who lead the series 2-1, have already retained the Ashes and are now three wickets away from securing an innings victory, with it a richly deserved series win, on the final day.
At close, Australia were all but down for the count at 213 for seven – still 151 in arrears – with Steven Smith on 24 and Peter Siddle on 17.
‘A great moment’
“That’s pretty hard to beat,” said wicket-keeper Matt Prior, who hit a blistering century. “We’ve got them seven down and we’re in a pretty good position to win tomorrow. It was a great moment in England winning the Ashes [last year], but to come over here knowing the history, knowing that it’s been 24 years since it was last done and there’s obviously a reason for that.”
Prior’s 197-minute blitz which yielded 118 was the fastest England Ashes century since Ian Botham in 1981.
Watson praises England
“There’s no doubt we’ve let ourselves down,” said Australian opener Shane Watson.
“But there’s no doubt as well that the English have played extremely well. The last two games the way they’ve bowled, they’ve made the most of all conditions.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 7th, 2011.
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