Media celebrate Ashes triumph
English commentators were overjoyed on Wednesday after their cricketers retained the Ashes in Australia for the first time in more than 20 years with a stunning victory in Melbourne.
England, who won a crushing innings and 157-run victory over Australia in the fourth Test, had comprehensively outplayed the Aussies and were deserved winners, newspapers said.
"This represents a triumph, the vindication of months of hard work and planning," said The Times.
"England have deserved their success here," said The Telegraph.
"Aside from their stumble in Perth, they have shown more variety and consistency in their bowling than Australia and more class in general across the team."
For England, it was the first time they had won the Ashes in Australia since Mike Gatting's team claimed the series 2-1 in 1986-1987.
Australia can still level the series if they can fight back and win next week's fifth Sydney Test, but the Ashes are gone.
English commentators rubbed their hands with glee at the poor showing by the Australians, with The Guardian branding them "rudderless and among the also-rans."
"The Australians are now in disarray and the nation is stunned at the ineptitude of their cricketers and their selectors," said the paper.
"It is impossible to lose so many brilliant cricketers simultaneously and maintain standards."
The Telegraph predicted the heavy defeat would prompt Australia to overhaul its team -- and that one casualty was likely to be Captain Ricky Ponting.
"Australian cricket had become nostalgic of late but those days are past and the rebuilding, with a new if not better captain, will surely start soon," said the paper.
Other commentators however urged the side to stay focused and to push home their advantage.
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