SYDNEY – England stood on the brink of a first Ashes series triumph in Australia for 24 years after dominating the fourth day of the fifth test with both bat and ball on Thursday.
The tourists racked up a record 644 for a first-innings lead of 364 before James Anderson, Tim Bresnan and Chris Tremlett wreaked havoc among the shell-shocked Australians and reduced them to 213 for seven in their second innings.
Australia, batting in what now looks a forlorn attempt to save themselves from the humiliation of a third innings defeat in the series, had Steve Smith (24) and Peter Siddle (17) at the crease but still trailed by 151 runs going into the final day.
“It was a fantastic feeling being out there today,” wicketkeeper Matt Prior, who made 118 runs and took four catches, told reporters.
“To get them seven down and in a pretty good position to win tomorrow … it’s pretty hard to beat.
“The guys with the reverse swing showed their skills magnificently, backed up by the fielding. We just tried to keep things simple and it’s worked well for us.”
England had already ensured they would retain the Ashes by taking a 2-1 lead in the series in Melbourne last week and just needed just a draw at the Sydney Cricket Ground to seal the series triumph.
Although fine swing bowling was responsible for most of the Australian wickets, the hosts contributed the first with the farcical run out of Shane Watson for 38.
Watson, who had already run out fellow openers Simon Katich and Phillip Hughes this series, was left stranded at the wrong end when Hughes declined a second run.
“It’s just a horrendous situation to be involved in three run outs … it’s just not good enough,” said Watson, who conceded that the series was now gone. “Unfortunately we’ve been totally outplayed again … There’s no doubt that we’ve let ourselves down, but there’s no doubt as well that English have played unbelievably well.”
Hughes lasted a little longer before falling for 13 after getting an edge to a Bresnan delivery following a period of sustained pressure and Prior continued his good day by taking the catch. The next two wickets to fall were also caught behind by Prior, Anderson getting his 22nd and 23rd victims of the series by tempting Usman Khawaja into a feint edge for 21 and snaring captain Michael Clarke for 41 with an outswinger. Bresnan returned to have Mike Hussey caught in the gully by Pietersen for 12 before Tremlett got into his aggressive stride and threatened to finish the match by himself. The tall seamer tempted Brad Haddin (30) to attempt a hook but instead he found a top edge that Prior claimed for his sixth catch of the match. Mitchell Johnson, who went for 4-168 in England’s innings, was next in but he lasted just one ball as Tremlett clean bowled him to move to set up a hat-trick delivery that Siddle blocked.
