London: Steve Harmison and Graeme Swann took three wickets apiece to guide England to a 197-run victory over Australia in the fifth and final Ashes Test at the Oval on Sunday.
England have regained the Ashes with a crushing 197-run victory amid jubilant scenes at The Oval. Steve Harmison went through the lower order with three wickets, including the scalps of Peter Siddle and Stuart Clark in consecutive balls as the full house was finally able to release hours, days and months of emotion.
Graeme Swann, who had broken a frustrating stand between the outstanding Mike Hussey and energetic Brad Haddin, then had the joy of claiming the final wicket when Hussey's valiant 121 was ended with a catch to short leg. Suddenly cricketers were sprinting everywhere, led by an ecstatic Andrew Strauss who has enjoyed a wonderful time as captain and batsman.
The series has defied expectation at every turn, but few gave England a prayer after their trouncing at Headingley. That they have bounced back in such convincing style makes this one of their most astonishing successes
Australia, chasing a mammoth 546-run target, lost their two openers quickly before skipper Riky Ponting and Michael Hussey holding fort to give some ray of hope to the Aussies. But England bowlers bowled brilliantly to take all the wickets to clinch the victory.
Stuart Broad declared Man of the Match for his 1st Innings 5-37. England skipper Andrew Strauss and Aussies vice-captain Michael Clarke declared player of the tournament.
Brief Score: England 332 and 373 for 9 dec (Trott 119, Strauss 75, Swann 63, North 4-98) beat Australia 160 and 348 (Hussey 121, RT Ponting 66, GP Swann 4-120, SJ Harmison 3-54) by 197-runs