Reuters
Nottingham, August 8: England ripped out the last three Australian wickets for 12 runs to win the fourth test by a crushing innings and 78 runs and regain the Ashes at a euphoric Trent Bridge here Saturday.
Ben Stokes (6/36) had Mitchell Starc (0) caught by Ian Bell at second slip and Mark Wood (3/69) bowled Josh Hazlewood for a duck.
Wood produced another ferocious full-pitched delivery to shatter Nathan Lyon’s (4) stumps for four and complete the rout, sparking wild celebrations on the pitch and around the ground.
The England players celebrated in a huddle before going on a lap of honour to strains of ‘Rule Britannia’ and ‘Land of Hope and Glory’ as the crowd basked in the sunshine.
“It’s unbelievable. I couldn’t be happier,” England captain Alastair Cook told reporters.
England were whitewashed 5-0 in the last Ashes series in Australia in 2013-14 and the touring side had been strong favourites to retain the famous urn.
“For what we’ve been through over the last 18 months, to play like we did has been fantastic. I’m so proud of this young team and the way they’ve taken this opportunity,” Cook said.
Adam Voges was left unbeaten on 51 (118b, 7×4) in Australia’s total of 253 as Stokes finished with best Test figures.
Michael Clarke became the first Australian skipper to lose four Ashes in a row in England.
“Our goal was to come here and try and have some success,” Clarke said at the presentation ceremony. “Alastair Cook and the England team deserve a lot of credit – they’ve shown us how to execute good swing and seam bowling.”
“The whole team tried a lot but at the end of the day they have been beaten by a better side,” he added.
“When you lose 5-0 there’s a big turnaround and a new side develops pretty quickly,” Cook said. “There’s a lot of talent and the guys have come in and done incredibly well.”
“I had to take a big step forward as captain. I am quite stubborn and it took a while. But ultimately you are only as good as the other 10 players,” he added.
England lead the series 3-1 with one match to play at the Oval starting August 20.
