Sydney: As expected Australia romped to an innings and 123-runs victory over England here Monday at the SCG to complete an emphatic 4-0 triumph in the 5-Test Ashes series. The visitors were dismissed for 180 in their second innings.
England captain Joe Root raced from his hospital bed, where he had been treated overnight for gastroenteritis, to try to rescue a face-saving draw but when he failed to reappear after lunch the die was cast for the tourists.
Australia’s bowling attack – the potency of which has been one of the main points of difference between the two sides – mopped up the last four batsmen at the cost of just 36 runs after the break.
Pat Cummins (4/39) removed Jonny Bairstow (38), Stuart Broad (four) and Mason Crane (two) on the day, while Nathan Lyon (3/54) had taken the only wicket of the opening session as he continued his dominance of Moeen Ali.
Cummins was named man of the match while Josh Hazlewood performed the coup de grace when he had James Anderson caught behind for two.
Australia’s batsmen also played a full part in the return of the coveted urn, with Mitchell Marsh, his brother Shaun and Usman Khawaja all getting into three figures as the hosts made 649 declared in their reply to England’s first innings 346.
England managed only three centuries to Australia’s nine over the series, with Smith alone matching their tally.
Anderson, who stood in for the ailing Root in the presentation ceremony, agreed that England’s failure to come out on top at key points during games had proved decisive. “We were outplayed in the key moments. We have been in the games but just haven’t capitalised on the opportunities we have had,” Anderson stated.
“They have a fantastic bowling attack and all the batsmen have come to the party and they have scored runs when the team needed them,” added the England pacer.
Smith was named Player of the Series after scoring 687 runs at an average of 137.4, backing up his ranking as the world’s top batsman.
The tourists will, however, take pride from refusing to buckle despite being outclassed in four of the five Tests and Root’s determination to bat Monday while clearly unwell typified their fighting spirit.
The 27-year-old was 42 not out with England 93 for four at close of play on day four but experienced diarrhea and vomiting overnight and was taken to hospital for treatment where he was treated for viral gastroenteritis.
The skipper reached the ground in time for the start of play but out-of-form Moeen went out to bat in his stead, making 13 before almost inevitably falling leg before to Lyon, his seventh dismissal against the off-spinner in nine innings.
Brief scores: England 346 & 180 (Joe Root 58 retd hurt, pat Cummins 4/39, Nathan Lyon 3/54) lost to Australia 649 for seven declared by an innings and 123 runs.
Reuters