England retains Ashes with emphatic 4th test win

Melbourne: England retained the Ashes on Australian soil for the first time in 24 years by completing an emphatic innings and 157-run win over Australia on Wednesday's fourth day of the fourth test.
England's victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground means it travels to the final test in Sydney starting Sunday with a 2-1 series lead, but as the Ashes-holder, England needs only to draw the series to keep the urn.
Tim Bresnan claimed the final wicket and his fourth of the innings when Ben Hilfenhaus was caught behind for a duck to dismiss Australia for 258 before lunch. Last batsman Ryan Harris could not bat due to a foot injury.
"We're very excited right now. It's a special occasion the MCG game. And to come out here and retain the Ashes will live long in all our memories," England captain Andrew Strauss said.
The England team completed a lap of honor to the cheers of a vocal MCG crowd, pausing to return the applause of its contingent of "Barmy Army" fans.
Brad Haddin brought up a gutsy half century in an 86-run eighth-wicket partnership with Peter Siddle, but they could only delay the inevitable. Haddin ended the match on an unbeaten 55 with four boundaries and a six.
Australia resumed on 169-6, and Chris Tremlett dismissed Mitchell Johnson in the second over of the day when the tailender edged a seaming delivery onto his stumps without adding to his overnight score of 6.
Siddle was caught by Kevin Pietersen at long-on off a Graeme Swann ball for 40. His aggressive innings came off 50 balls with four fours and a six.
The Australian lineup was reduced to ten batsmen after paceman Harris broke down with a stress fracture to his left ankle Tuesday. Harris, 31, is almost certain to require surgery.
Australia's loss looked inevitable from day one when it was dismissed for a paltry 98 in two rain-shortened sessions on the first day. A capitulation became inevitable on the second day when England replied with a first-innings total of 513 for a massive 415-run lead.
"The really important thing we need to do is pay credit to England and the way they played for the whole tour," Australia captain Ponting said. "Apart from the third test, they've played a really high level of cricket the whole way through, not only this series, but the tour games as well. Credit to them for the way they prepared."
Bresnan claimed the vital wickets of Shane Watson, Ponting and Michael Hussey after tea Tuesday to become the architect of yet another destruction of Australia's misfiring top order.

-AP, Dec 29,2010