AUSTRALIA were ruthless to the bitter end as they dismantled England in Sydney to wrap up an emphatic 4-0 Ashes win.
Needing to bat the day out to save the Test, the tourists were rocked with the news that skipper Joe Root had been rushed to hospital overnight with a severe stomach bug.
Moeen Ali therefore took his place at the restart, but things soon unravelled in familiar fashion.
121-5 (61.2ovs) – Moeen Ali
AFTER an hour’s batting in the morning session, Jonny Bairstow and Ali were looking oddly comfortable.
It was a complete contrast to the seriousness of the situation, but against the seamers with an ageing ball, the England middle-order looked as strong as we’d hoped before the series began.
But enter Nathan Lyon, who has tortured his fellow spinner throughout the entire five Test matches.
After getting a couple to rip away from the left-hander, Lyon sent down one that went straight on – and hit Moeen plum infront.
The England No6 didn’t even bother to review and this was the SEVENTH time he’d been dismissed by Lyon in the series.
144-6 (77.4ovs) – Jonny Bairstow
THIS was the big one.
Joe Root didn’t emerge from the lunch break, after joining Bairstow at the crease but looking increasingly green as the morning session wore on.
The Yorkshire wickie was joined by Tom Curran following the break, but looked a little tentative – as he has throughout this series when left with the tail.
Cummins was refreshed and rampant. He tore in, clearly fancying one last final haul, and got his reward with one that stayed low and did Bairstow for pace.
Plum LBW and England were on the brink.
148-7 (78ovs) – Stuart Broad
AFTER his latest resolute knocks, you’d be forgiven for thinking Stuart Broad had turned a corner with the bat.
Not on this evidence. His innings lasted just two balls – one a wild swipe through the slips, before receiving a viscous bouncer that was headed straight for his helmet.
Broad just can’t play short stuff anymore, and gloved a tame effort to Paine.
It was another soft dismissal and England were sinking without a trace.
156-8 (81.1ovs) – Mason Crane
THAT left the two England youngsters at the crease – and with no real option but to go down swinging.
Curran was playing some lovely shots, including a terrific cover drive that had the Barmy Army swooning in the stands.
But Crane just couldn’t deal with the hostility and bounce of man-of-the-match Cummins, who took his eighth wicket of the match with another brilliant bouncer.
It tore off the pitch, catching the end of Crane’s thumb on it’s way through to Paine.
159-9 (88.1ovs) – Jimmy Anderson
WITH Joe Root now fit to bat, Australia knew that they were one wicket from victory.
Out came Jimmy Anderson for what is probably the final time Down Under – and he showed his usual steely resolve.
With Curran continuing to play shots at the other end, Jimmy wore three big hits to the body as he stuck around for seven overs.
But with Josh Hazlewood back in the attack, he couldn’t cope with one that moved a little off the seam – and a tentative edge brought about a feather through to the keeper.
The Aussies could finally celebrate, after wrapping up a deserved and comprehensive innings and 123 run victory an hour before tea.
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