England claimed a first Ashes series triumph in Australia in 24 years in the most emphatic style after wrapping up a third dominant innings victory in five Tests.
Andrew Strauss's side had already retained the famous urn and the tourists required just 17 overs to clean up Australia's last three batsmen on the final day at the SCG to secure a resounding and crushing innings and 83-run victory over the Old Enemy.
The nature of England's series win could hardly have been more emphatic, with three victories - at Adelaide, Melbourne, and finally in Sydney - being wrapped up with an innings to spare.
Free entry ensured that the ground was over half-full, and the vast majority of the fans were jubilant as England's acclaimed Barmy Army made their presence very much felt with a vociferous atmosphere generated as the tourists capped a record-breaking tour in stunning fashion.
England began the final day in Sydney requiring a further three wickets to secure victory, but an early shower intervened after only a brief stint of play as the tourists were forced to remain patient.
Peter Siddle and Steve Smith brought up their 50 partnership off just 88 balls as the pair frustrated Strauss's side for a brief spell but it was only a fleeting resistance.
Siddle unfurled an enterprising array of shots but the number nine holed out to Anderson at deep backward square for 43 as Graeme Swann made the first breakthrough.
The next wicket to fall was that of Ben Hilfenhaus who was caught leaden-footed on the crease and edged a jaffa from James Anderson behind to Matt Prior.
England were just one wicket shy of victory with the celebrations about to begin in earnest, but with rain forecasted for later in the day, the tourists were keen to wrap the win up swiftly.
By now the Barmy Army were in full voice. Smith had time to bash his way to a second Test fifty, but he knew the end was close as he swung from the hip. A single exposed Michael Beer to three balls of Chris Tremlett's over and he only needed one delivery.
Tremlett was not even a first-team pick when the tour began back on November 25, and the enormous seamer clean bowled Beer to send the England players and supporters into delirium.
Just four years after England suffered a first Ashes clean sweep defeat in 86 years on the 2006-07 tour, Strauss and Andy Flower's achievement of emulating Mike Gatting's touring party of 1986-87 is all the more remarkable.
England will no doubt party the night away in Sydney as Andy Flower's side bask in the glory of an Ashes victory Down Under which has been a very long time in the waiting.
source: http:// uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/07012011/58/ashes-england-win-ashes-sydney.html
