England thrashed Australia to regain Ashes – England defeated world champions Australia in the fourth Test by an innings and 78 runs to seal Ashes series win at Trent Bridge.
On the third day, Australia resumed their second innings 241 for seven, 90 runs behind the hosts first innings score of 391. However, they lost their last three wickets in just 39 minutes to be precise. All-rounder Ben Stokes took the first wicket of the day whereas fast bowler Mark Wood clinched the victory when he bowled Nathan Lyon in the 73rd over of the innings. Thus, England wrapped up a spectacular victory over reigning champions.
Earlier in the first innings, the visitors collapsed to 60 all out in 111 balls when English bowler Stuart Broad ripped through the Australian batting line-up. It was an unforgettable day for Broad where he took 8 wickets for just fifteen runs.
England in reply had a shaky start but the middle-order batsman Joe Root stepped up and scored a century on the first day to put his team in strong position. England declared the first innings 391 for nine on the second day just before lunch.
Aussies started their second innings way better than the first one as they neutralized the threat of the new-ball pair Broad and Wood. Openers Chris Rogers and David Warner both scored half-centuries and put up a fighting opening stand of 113. But the middle-order batsmen failed to capitalize on good start except Adam Voges, who battled the English bowlers and conditions to post a fighting score on the board.
Victory gave Alastair Cook’s men an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the five-match series after losing the opening test of the series. They defeated arch-rivals Australia inside three days for the second match in a row.
After the humiliating defeats and a poor series so far with the bat, Australian captain Michael Clark has announced that he will retire from international cricket at the end of the ongoing Ashes series. The fifth and the final Test begins at The Oval on August 20. IMAGE/lastwordonsports.com
