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Summary
Matt Prior became England's third centurion to increase the teams lead to 356 runs over hapless Australia on the fourth day of the final Ashes Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Thursday.England equalled their highest score at the SCG set back in 1928-29 when they went to lunch at 636 for nine. Graeme Swann was unbeaten on 33 off 23 balls and Chris Tremlett was on seven. Wicketkeeper Prior joined Alastair Cook and Ian Bell as England century-makers with a thumping hundred off just 109 balls to rub further salt into Australia's wounds. England, who last week retained the Ashes in the fourth Melbourne Test, are chasing their first series win in Australia for 24 years, while the home side are only looking at survival after another session of carnage. Prior, who was 54 overnight, took to the Australian attack and raised his fourth Test century with a four through the covers off spinner Michael Beer. His 197-minute blitz was the fastest England Ashes century since Ian Botham in 1981. He was finally out caught behind off Ben Hilfenhaus for 118 off 130 balls, joining Cook (189) and Bell (115) in three figures. It was also the fourth time England have passed 500 in the series. England's continuing domination came on the day Paul Collingwood said he was retiring from Tests.
