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09-Aug-2009 13:30:00 GMT
England v Australia, 4th Test, Headingley, 3rd day

Australia Series Level with Crushing Win at Headingley

Headingley: Half-centuries from Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann reduced the deficit, but England were still routed by an innings and 80 runs with Mitchell Johnson taking 5 for 69.

England's thrilling lower-order resistance was ended swiftly after lunch as Australia completed a comprehensive innings victory in the fourth Test to draw level in the Ashes series at Headingley.

Resuming the third morning in a seemingly impossible position, trailing by 261 runs on 82 for five, England's daunting task became all the more difficult when they lost two wickets inside the first hour.

Despite a boundary-filled 108-run eighth-wicket partnership between Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann, England slumped to 263 all out six overs after lunch, handing Australia victory by an innings and 80 runs.

The result left the Ashes all square ahead of the fifth and final Test at The Oval starting on August 20.

England, who resumed Sunday in the dire position of 82 for five in their second innings, still 261 runs behind Australia's first innings 445 and facing the prospect of a record-breaking home defeat, were bowled out for 263.

Stuart Broad (61) and Graeme Swann (62) delayed the seemingly inevitable with an eighth-wicket stand of 108 off 79 balls that delighted home fans after the pair had come together with England on 120 for seven,

At lunch, England were 245 for eight, 98 behind, with Swann 56 not out and Stephen Harmison six not out.

But soon after the break Swann on 62, one shy of his Test-best score, was caught behind off left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson, who took five wickets for 69 runs in the innings.

Johnson then wrapped up the match in the sixth over after lunch when he clean bowled last man Graham Onions for nought.

England, without injured stars Andrew Flintoff - the inspiration behind their 115-run second Test win at Lord's - and Kevin Pietersen, were on the backfoot after collapsing to 102 all out on Friday's first day.

Clark took three wickets for 18 runs on his return to international cricket and Siddle a Test-best five for 21.

Australia, in reply, were 151 for four, just 49 runs ahead, before a stand of 152 between Marcus North, whose 110 was his second century of the series, and vice-captain Michael Clarke (93) all but doubled the score.

MJ North declared man of the match for his 2nd hundred of the series.

Australia's victory sets up a series decider at The Oval, starting on August 20.

Brief Score: Australia 445 (North 110, Clarke 93, Ponting 78 Broad 6-91) beat England 102 and 263 (Swann 62, Broad 61, Johnson 5-69 Hilfenhaus 4-60) by an innings and 80 runs.


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