‘Domineering’ England hands Australia their first Ashes innings defeat in 24 years
By ANITuesday, December 7, 2010
MELBOURNE - England handed Australia their first defeat by an innings in an Ashes Test for 24 years, and claimed a 1-0 lead in the series on the final day of the Adelaide Test on Tuesday.
England last claimed an innings victory in an Ashes series when they won the fourth Test of the 1986-1987 series, the last time they won a Test series in this country.
Australia lost their final seven wickets for 66 runs to lose by an innings and 71 runs after resuming at 4-238.
Ricky Ponting’s team is now in real danger of becoming the first Australian squad to surrender the Ashes at home before Christmas.
England will retain the urn if they win the third Test at the WACA Ground in Perth from December 16, Fox Sports reports.
Clear skies over Adelaide on Tuesday saw Australia’s hopes of a rain-assisted draw evaporate, and the lower order collapsed all too easily after Mike Hussey was first man out on the final morning.
Graeme Swann led the clean-up operation for England with strong support from pacers Steve Finn and Jimmy Anderson.
Brad Haddin made 12 before he edged a typically precise delivery from Anderson, and Ryan Harris completed a king pair - only the second Australian to do so, after Adam Gilchrist in Kolkata in 2001. (ANI)
