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27 Aug 2009

blog:England beat Aussies to regain Ashes

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England regained the Ashes with a 197-run win over Australia in the fifth and final Test at the Oval on Sunday.

 

Victory, achieved with more than a day to spare, saw England take the five-match series 2-1.

 

Australia, set what would have been a record fourth innings victory total of 546, were bowled out for 348 with Michael Hussey last man out for 121, when he was caught close in by Alastair Cook off spinner Graeme Swann.

 

“It’s a special moment. It hasn’t sunk in yet. We had to dig in and fight,” said England skipper Andrew Strauss.

 

“When we were bad in the series, we were very bad but when we were good we were very good.”

 

Australia captain Ricky Ponting said: “We gave it all we could, but it wasn’t enough. Full credit to England, they won the crucial moments and deserved to win the series.

 

“I think this series has shown that Test cricket is alive and well around the world.”

 

From 327 for five, the end came swiftly with four wickets going down for 16 runs in 32 balls, with fast bowler Stephen Harmison taking three for seven in 13 balls.

 

It was a remarkable turnaround for England, who’d lost the fourth Test by an innings and 80 runs at Headingley, and had only clung on for a draw in the series opener at Cardiff by a single wicket.