Aussie victory level series

A resurgent Australia levelled the Ashes with a comprehensive 267-run victory on the fourth day of the third Test against England at the WACA Ground on Sunday. Set 391 to win, England resumed at 81-5 and offered little resistance, lasting just 10 overs and less than hour in the opening session, as bustling seamer Ryan Harris ran through the tail to finish with a career-best 6-47 in his fourth Test, dismissing the tourists for 123.

Such a result seemed unfathomable when Australia made just 268 on the first day after being sent in to bat, and even less so when England cruised to 78-0 early on the second day.

However, recalled fast bowler Mitchell Johnson’s stunning four wickets in 27 balls on day two as part of his first innings haul of 6-38 turned the series on its head and another century from the rejuvenated Mike Hussey (116) in Australia’s second innings sealed England’s fate.

Having been beaten by an innings in Adelaide in the second Test, it was Australia’s first win in six Tests, when an England victory would have guaranteed the tourists retained the Ashes.

If England did harbour any hope of a record fourth-innings chase it was quickly erased late on day three, when their top five batsmen all went cheaply, including Paul Collingwood falling for 11 on the final ball of the day.

It was just a matter of time on Sunday for the Australians, who were led by Michael Clarke, with captain Ricky Ponting watching from the pavilion with a fractured little finger on his left hand.

Despite the injury, the out-of-form Ponting said he was confident of being fit for what now shapes up as a blockbuster Boxing Day Test at the MCG in Melbourne starting on December 26.

The skipper had no cause for concern as he watched from off the field, with Harris starting the rout by clean bowling night-watchman James Anderson for three, with England losing its last seven wickets for only 39 runs.

Man-of-the-match Johnson picked up 3-44, he and Harris both claiming nine wickets for the Test.

AFP