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England win fourth Test to retain Ashes

December 29, 2010 06:44 IST

- Scorecard

England won the fourth Test in Melbourne by an innings and 157 runs on Wednesday to retain the Ashes on Australian soil for the first time in 24 years.

The victory, sealed before lunch on the fourth day, gave holders England a 2-1 lead in the series, which will be completed with the fifth and final Test in Sydney next week.

Australia resumed on 169-6, still facing a 246-run deficit to make England bat again but lost their remaining wickets shortly before lunch to be all out for 258.

Chris Tremlett removed Mitchell Johnson for six in the second over of the morning, pushing half-heartedly at a fuller delivery that took an inside edge before crashing into off-stump.

Peter Siddle defiantly slogged his way to 40 before belting a lofted drive off Graeme Swann straight to Kevin Pietersen at long on.

The injured Ryan Harris did not take his place leaving Ben Hilfenhaus to take the crease. The paceman was out to Tim Bresnan for a duck, caught behind to wicketkeeper Matt Prior to complete the innings.

Andrew Strauss's team became the first to retain the Ashes in Australia since Mike Gatting lead the tourists to a 2-1 series win in 1986/87, the decisive victory also sealed at the MCG.

Source: REUTERS
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