Ashes Series: England wins series 3-1 against Australia
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Ashes Series: England wins series 3-1 against Australia
England 644 beat Australia 280 & 281 by an innings and 83 runs.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.The Aussies began the last day in a hopeless position at 213-7, 151 runs behind, but Peter Siddle and Steve Smith kept England's champagne on ice. Siddle finally went for 43 when slog-sweeping spinner Graeme Swann. James Anderson removed Ben Hilfenhaus before Chris Tremlett bowled Michael Beer with the score on 281. Smith was unbeaten on 54 having added 86 with Siddle, who saw out the first 25 minutes of Friday's action before rain struck for 40 minutes to keep England and their supporters frustrated for a while longer. 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. Victorious skipper Andrew Strauss joined Sir Len Hutton and Mike Brearley to become the third England captain to win Ashes series at home and away. 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
