England end 24 years of pain to retain the Ashes with thumping win over Aussies
England retained the Ashes amid jubilant scenes after completing a crushing win over Australia by an innings and 157 runs at the MCG.
Andrew Strauss became only the fourth post-War England captain to secure the urn both home and away after the Australians were left on their knees, having been dismissed for 258.
Agony and ecstasy: Australia's Brad Haddin sinks to his knees as England players celebrate retaining the Ashes
The victorious moment arrived when Tim Bresnan had Ben Hilfenhaus caught behind for a duck 85 minutes into the fourth morning.
England's victory - their biggest win over Australia since Jim Laker's 19-wicket haul at Old Trafford in 1956 - gave the tourists an unassailable 2-1 series lead with one Test to go in Sydney next week.
Ecstasy: Graeme Swann leads the sprinkler dance on the Melbourne pitch after the win
England's players celebrated in style at the end, with Graeme Swann leading the squad with a rendition of the sprinkler dance that was dreamed up in the build-up to the series.
Bresnan, who finished with four for 50 to cap his first Ashes Test, said: 'It's fantastic - an unbelievable feeling to take the last wicket.'
Leading the way: Andrew Strauss takes the plaudits after his side's triumph at the MCG
Captain Strauss had nothing but praise for his side and also paid tribute to coach Andy Flower for his part in their success.
'I had hoped we would retain the Ashes, but you know how much hard work is needed,' he said. 'We did a lot of planning for this series and knew what we wanted to do, but it's another thing going out and doing it.
'A lot of credit goes out to Andy Flower and the backroom staff, but also the players on the pitch who did a fantastic job. Now we want to go out and win the series but it's pretty amazing what we've achieved here.'
Beleaguered Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who has made just 113 runs all series, said he hoped to lead his side in Sydney as talk over his future builds, but admitted it may not be his decision to make.
'Absolutely I still want to be captain,' he said. 'I still feel I have a whole lot to offer the team as far as batting and leadership is concerned.
'It's not a decision for me to make. I could step down but I don't have a decision to stay on. The powers that be will make that decision.
'If I have a decision to make it has to be right for Australian cricket and not for me.'
Ponting also admitted that his form had been a critical reason behind his side's troubles.
'My series has been horrible,' he said. 'That's a big reason why we've been in this position. We've all tried and you do the best you can, sometimes it's good enough.
'We're disappointed and we've been beaten easily. We now can't win the Ashes and no-one is more disappointed than me. We weren't good enough, they simply outplayed us.'
Ponting, who has had another X-ray on the broken finger that had threatened to rule him out of this game, added: 'I don't know (about my fitness). The plan was to get through the game and have another x-ray. I've got them back, but I've not had chance to look at them with the physio yet.
'I have a bit of thinking to do. It would be nice to flick a switch and turn things around. I've tried my heart out and I understood that for us to win I had to make runs. I haven't done that.'
England's victory was greeted with joy back home. Prime Minister David Cameron said: 'Congratulations to the England team and Captain Andrew Strauss on a brilliant performance Down Under.
Another defeat: Ricky Ponting struggled to raise a smile after this latest defeat
'Retaining The Ashes for the first time in
almost a quarter of a century marks a very special end to the year for
sports fans and a great late Christmas present for the country.
'I look forward to welcoming them to Downing
Street when they return.'
Delight: England fans party in the stands during the final day in Melbourne
Up in lights: The MCG video screen delivers the bad news to the Aussie supporters
VIDEO: Strauss hails Ashes glory Down Under...
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