England end years of hurtEngland ended 24 years of hurt as they finally sealed an Ashes series win on Australian soil with an innings and 83-run win in Sydney.
The result was never really in doubt after England's attack had ripped through the Australia innings on day four at the SCG to put them on the brink of a first series win Down Under since the 1986/87 series.
The hosts managed to hang on overnight at 213-7, with Peter Siddle and Steve Smith ensuring England would have to wait until the final day to complete the 3-1 series rout.
However Australia started the day 151 runs away from making England bat again - and although rain hampered play, it was never going to be enough to save them.Smith and Siddle had threatened to spoil the party as they put on 50 for the eighth wicket, while the rain forced the players off the field after little more than 20 minutes of play.
When play got back under way, the Australian duo continued to thwart the tourists, taking their stand on to 86.
But England finally got the breakthrough when Siddle's attempted slog sweep off Graeme Swann could only find James Anderson in the deep.
Siddle's 43 came off 65 balls and included four boundaries - with the fast bowler having scored more runs in the series than Ricky Ponting, Simon Katich and Phil Hughes.
Ben Hilfenhaus quickly followed in the second over with the new ball as he edged Anderson behind to Matt Prior.
Smith attempted to keep playing his shots and he deservedly reached his second Test half-century off 85 balls.
But he was left stranded as Michael Beer edged the ball onto his own stumps to see Australia all out for 281.
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