Australia celebrate after winning the Ashes

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Australia got their hands back on the coveted urn as they won the Ashes after thrashing England by an innings and 41 runs on the final day in Perth.

Starting off the day on 132/4 after a three-hour delay due to heavy rain and a wet outfield, England would have been hoping to salvage a draw.

However, after adding just one run to their overnight score, wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow was clean bowled by Josh Hazlewood for 14.

Moeen Ali could only muster 11 runs before he was given out lbw off the bowling of Nathan Lyon.

Dawid Malan, who had fought valiantly up to this point, ended up making 54 off 135 balls, which included eight boundaries, before he was caught behind off the bowling of Hazlewood.

Hazlewood then proceeded to take out Craig Overton before Pat Cummins sent Stuart Broad packing for a duck.

England were eventually bowled out for 218 when Chris Woakes was caught behind off the bowling of Cummins for 22.

Hazlewood was the pick of the bowlers with five wickets, while Cummins and Lyon snapped up two wickets apiece. As for Mitchell Starc, he claimed one wicket.

England captain Joe Root was gutted to have lost the Ashes, and said: “Very difficult to take but fair play to Australia, they’ve outplayed us in all three game and we’ve got to be better. [Pitch?] It wasn’t fit to play this morning, it obviously dried up and I think by the end there it was probably fit to play.

“[Only 400 first inns] Yeah, that’s not ideal, but the [Malan-Bairstow] partnership and the way those two played was outstanding, they should be really proud. From the position of 100-4, that’s not good enough. We’ve got to learn from it and get better but there’s good things to come from this week.

“Those guys putting in big performances under pressure was outstanding, the way Vincey played in the second innings was proper batting, it took that delivery to get him out. We’ve got to make sure we got to Melbourne, prepare well and put in good performance there.”

Australia skipper Steve Smith was over the moon to have wrapped up the Ashes with two Tests to go, and said: “Captaining an Ashes winning side is an amazing feeling. It’s a moment we’ve been looking forward to, so much has gone into the preparation, the way we’ve gone about it was spectacular, 400 is a pretty good total but we came out and got a massive score and only had to bat once.

“The bowlers have done a massive job, Nathan Lyon has been exceptional. So many emotions coming out, the boys are going to celebrate hard tonight. Josh Hazlewood was exceptional, he hit really good areas and got Bairstow early. To win an amazing Ashes series, to be 3-0 up and get that urn back, I’m really proud.”

Speaking after being named Man of the Match, Smith said: “Nice to get recognition. I’m really proud to score my highest score and put on that performance with Mitch Marsh. Really set the game up for us, to get us in the lead. I’m just so proud of the boys, the way we’ve been able to wrap things up here in Perth and get that urn back.

“The boys have done a terrific job to get us the 20 wickets in each game, we haven’t won a toss and probably had the toughest of the conditions. [Worried about weather?] It was horrible last night, I’ve never seen weather like that here in Perth. We knew if it cleared, and we had enough time, we’d be in for a show.

“Credit to the selectors, they made some bold moves but everyone who’s come in has done a great job. [MCG next?] Absolutely, we’re going to celebrate this one first. The Boxing Day Test match is an amazing occasion, hopefully we can get ourselves 4-0 and maybe 5-0 in Sydney. Everyone has been fantastic to get us the result we deserve.”