Ashes back in Australia

Australia cricketers celebrate after taking the final England wicket on the final day of the third Ashes Test in Perth yesterday. PHOTO: AFP

Australia fought past a determined rearguard to seal their third big win in a row against old enemy England and regain the Ashes in emphatic style after a gap of four years Tuesday.
In front of a delirious crowd at Perth's WACA ground, England's resistance came to an end after lunch on the last day as they were all out for 353, a deficit of 150 runs.
The victory, which followed wins of 381 and 218 runs in Brisbane and Perth, gave Australia an unbeatable 3-0 lead in the five-match series and their first Ashes triumph in four attempts.
It capped a remarkable turnaround for Australia, who were unfancied going into the series just months after a 3-0 loss in England. They also suffered defeats in 2009 and 2010-2011.
English rookie Ben Stokes, 22, frayed Australian nerves with a dogged 120, his maiden Test century, before he was caught brilliantly by Brad Haddin after lunch, triggering a clatter of England's last wickets.
Fittingly fast bowler Mitchell Johnson, whose destructive spells have played a large part in Australia's victory, took the decisive scalp when he had tail-ender James Anderson caught at short leg.
England captain Alastair Cook, who on Monday was out for the first golden duck of his career in his landmark 100th Test, admitted the heavy series defeat was painful.
However, the pain may not be over for England as Clarke, now seeking a return to the world number one ranking for Australia, sets his immediate sights on a 5-0 whitewash.
"I am going to enjoy 3-0 for as long as I can tonight. I am going to enjoy this feeling, but I can guarantee you there won't be any complacency," he said.
"We will turn up [for the next Test] in Melbourne 100 per cent ready to go and be doing everything we have done in the first three Test matches."
Set a record 504 to win, England went to lunch on the final day at 332-6 after losing just one wicket in the morning session, that of Matt Prior for 26.