Australia retain Ashes with 185-run win over England in fourth Test
Last updated on: 08 September,2019 11:46 pm
Victory left Australia 2-1 up in the five-Test series ahead of next week's finale at the Oval.
MANCHESTER (AFP) - Australia retained the Ashes with a 185-run thrashing of England in the fourth Test at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Victory left Australia 2-1 up in the five-Test series ahead of next week s finale at the Oval.
England, set a mammoth target of 383 to win, were dismissed for 197 on the fifth day.
Craig Overton, who batted for 105 balls, was last man out when lbw to Josh Hazlewood for 21.
Australia paceman Pat Cummins, the world s top-ranked Test bowler, had second-innings figures of 4-43 after teammate Steve Smith, top of the corresponding batting standings, scored 211 and 82.
That took Smith s tally for the series series to 671 runs at 134.2 including three hundreds, despite missing England s one-wicket win in the third Test at Headingley with concussion.
Steve Smith
On the other hand, Steve Smith said it "feels amazing" to retain the Ashes after Australia finally ended a stubborn rearguard effort from England to win the fourth Test by 185 runs.
"It feels amazing to know the urn is coming home," former captain Smith told Sky Sports.
Smith has scored an astonishing 671 runs at an average innings of 134.2, including three hundreds, despite missing England s one-wicket win in the third Test at Headingley with concussion.
"I ve been here a few times when things haven t gone our way," he added. "This was always one to tick off my bucket list. It s extremely satisfying.
"We thought we would get our eight chances. I thought (Craig) Overton was exceptional but fortunately the boys got the job done.
"I am incredibly proud of how I have performed and what I have helped the team achieve."
Australia captain Tim Paine told the BBC he was overcome with emotion.
"The amount of work that s tried to go on in to retain the Ashes has been enormous and I m really proud of this group and how we bounced back from Headingley," he said.
"The atmosphere, I was just saying to the guys, at every ground has been unbelievable. The noise they make here and the passion they have for cricket makes this moment all the more special.
"We re thrilled. This is what we came here to do, to take the Ashes home. We ll have a bloody good night tonight together and celebrate but we ll be back on deck next week. We want to win the Ashes 3-1."