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Warne confident of fitting finale Aussies complete 5-0 Ashes sweep
(about 5 hours later)
Shane Warne aims to mark the end of his illustrious career with a 5-0 whitewash of England on day four of the final Ashes Test in Sydney. England were pulverised on the fourth day of the Sydney Test as the Aussie juggernaut swept to its fifth win in five with another immaculate showing.
Warne dismissed England captain Andrew Flintoff late on day three to leave the tourists only 12 ahead at 114-5. The resultant whitewash was the first since 1920-21, a 10-wicket win wrapped up shortly before lunch on Friday.
"I would be pretty disappointed if we can't win this from where we are," said Warne, who bows out after 145 Tests. The situation was a hopeless one for England when play began: they were 114-5, with a lead of just 12.
"They are in effect 12-5 and were are through to their tail. If we can win then it will be fantastic." And England were blown away for 147 to leave Australia needing 46 to win. They got there without losing a wicket.
We need to battle hard and have our tail wag like theirs did James Anderson The Barmy Army would have hoped to at least salute a few lusty blows from Kevin Pietersen.
Warne became the first bowler to reach 700 Test wickets in the preceeding match, and has tormented the England batsmen throughout the series, claiming 23 wickets to date. But he fell to the third ball of the morning, failing to add to his 29.
He insisted that there were no second thoughts about retiring, however, and said: "I won't be sad. Glenn McGrath produced the kind of delivery that has epitomised his 13-year Test career - just back of a length outside off stump, seaming away - and Pietersen edged to Adam Gilchrist.
"I might be a little bit reflective sitting in the dressing room with a cold beer but I won't be crying or anything because my body's telling me it's time to go, I know that for sure." England had still not registered a run in the day when Chris Read called Monty Panesar through for a run.
England seamer James Anderson admitted the tourists need to produce something remarkable if they are to prevent defeat at the Sydney Cricket Ground on day four. His partner responded a fraction slowly, and Andrew Symonds' bullet-like throw from extra cover knocked out middle stump with Panesar short of his ground.
Kevin Pietersen is England's last recognised remaining batsman, and will resume on 29 with night-watchman Monty Panesar. Finally, there were a couple of boundaries. An edge through a gap in the slip cordons got Sajid Mahmood off the mark and Read middled a cover-drive off Brett Lee.
"We need to put up a good fight and we need to battle hard and have our tail wag like theirs did," he said. Time for an England rally? Not a bit of it. As if to scoff at such petulance, Lee had Read caught at second slip by Ricky Ponting and Mahmood was bowled off his pads by McGrath.
"And if Kevin stays there for a while then hopefully we can get a reasonable total to bowl at." Steve Harmison lofted McGrath for four over mid-on as he and James Anderson kept Australia in the outfield a little longer.
Warne almost had Harmison lbw - an appeal went to the third umpire who ruled in the benefit of the batsman.
Elation for Hayden and Langer as the winning run is secured
But the honour of the last wicket went to another of Australia's retirees - McGrath, who ended with six in the match.
Anderson tried a speculative on-drive but gave an easy catch to Michael Hussey at mid-on.
It was the last wicket of the 2006-07 Ashes.
As McGrath and Warne began their farewells, they left the stage to the third great Australian exiting the international stage.
Justin Langer, accompanied by fellow opener and best mate Matthew Hayden, walked out with the Aussies chasing a tiny target.
The only question was whether England could remove either man before the home team could begin their celebrations.
It was fitting with the series as a whole that the tourists' bowlers were unable to trouble Langer and Hayden at all.
A massive six from Hayden off Mahmood left Australia one run from the winning post and the next ball was glided through the covers.
Langer and Hayden removed their helmets and embraced warmly.
Next, the two players shook hands with the opponents they had conquered - Langer had a special word with old Middlesex team-mate Andrew Strauss.
The other Aussies came onto the field and the celebrations could really begin.
Warne's three children and McGrath's two posed for a photograph with two of Australia's most famous dads and eventually the interviews and presentations could start.