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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Aussies complete 5-0 Ashes sweep | Aussies complete 5-0 Ashes sweep |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| 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. | 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. |
| The resultant whitewash was the first since 1920-21, a 10-wicket win wrapped up shortly before lunch on Friday. | The resultant whitewash was the first since 1920-21, a 10-wicket win wrapped up shortly before lunch on Friday. |
| The situation was a hopeless one for England when play began: they were 114-5, with a lead of just 12. | The situation was a hopeless one for England when play began: they were 114-5, with a lead of just 12. |
| And England were blown away for 147 to leave Australia needing 46 to win. They got there without losing a wicket. | And England were blown away for 147 to leave Australia needing 46 to win. They got there without losing a wicket. |
| Interview: England captain Andrew Flintoff Interview: Australia's Justin Langer | |
| The Barmy Army would have hoped to at least salute a few lusty blows from Kevin Pietersen. | The Barmy Army would have hoped to at least salute a few lusty blows from Kevin Pietersen. |
| TMS BLOG If attention is paid to this thrashing, then something good will come from it Jonathan Agnew | TMS BLOG If attention is paid to this thrashing, then something good will come from it Jonathan Agnew |
| But he fell to the third ball of the morning, failing to add to his 29. | But he fell to the third ball of the morning, failing to add to his 29. |
| 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. | 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. |
| England had still not registered a run in the day when Chris Read called Monty Panesar through for a run. | England had still not registered a run in the day when Chris Read called Monty Panesar through for a run. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Elation for Hayden and Langer as the winning run is secured | Elation for Hayden and Langer as the winning run is secured |
| 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. | 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. |
| 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. | 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. |
| Steve Harmison lofted McGrath for four over mid-on as he and James Anderson kept Australia in the outfield a little longer. | 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. | Warne almost had Harmison lbw - an appeal went to the third umpire who ruled in the benefit of the batsman. |
| But the honour of the last wicket went to another of Australia's retirees - McGrath, who ended with six in the match. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Justin Langer, accompanied by fellow opener and best mate Matthew Hayden, walked out with the Aussies chasing a tiny target. |
| The retiring trio get stuck in as the victory champagne flows | The retiring trio get stuck in as the victory champagne flows |
| The only question was whether England could remove either man before the home team could begin to uncork the celebratory liquor. | The only question was whether England could remove either man before the home team could begin to uncork the celebratory liquor. |
| In a microcosm of the entire series, the tourists' bowlers were unable to trouble Langer and Hayden at all. | In a microcosm of the entire series, 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 the interviews and presentations started. | Warne's three children and McGrath's two posed for a photograph with two of Australia's most famous dads and the interviews and presentations started. |
| For the record, Stuart Clark was named man of the match but narrowly lost out on the man of the series accolade, with his captain Ricky Ponting accepting that prize. | For the record, Stuart Clark was named man of the match but narrowly lost out on the man of the series accolade, with his captain Ricky Ponting accepting that prize. |