England clinched a third straight Ashes series after winning the fourth test by 74 runs following a dramatic Australian batting meltdown in the face of some inspired bowling from paceman Stuart Broad today.
Set a victory target of 299, Australia collapsed from 168-2 to 224 all out in a memorable final session at Chester-le-Street on day four.
Broad took 6-50, claiming all his wickets in an unbelievable 45-ball spell as darkness descended. He completed a second 10-wicket haul in tests and was named man of the match.
England leads the five-match series 3-0 with one test left, starting at The Oval on Aug 21. It had all looked so rosy for Australia just after tea, with David Warner, who top-scored with 71, in his groove and leading the team forward purposefully to 147-1.
Even when Usman Khawaja (21) was trapped lbw to Graeme Swann, captain Michael Clarke came in, hit three quick fours and ensured the momentum was still with the tourists. Then it all went wrong.
Warner edged a beauty from Bresnan to wicketkeeper Matt Prior and the fightback was on.
Broad bowled Clarke (21) with a pearler off the seam and Steve Smith (2) dragged a 90 mph delivery from the paceman onto his own stumps as he attempted a pull.
Shane Watson, carrying a hip/groin injury, was lbw to Bresnan for 2 before Haddin fell by the same fate for 4, this time from Broad who wheeled away in celebration, puffing his cheeks and with his eyes bulging.
In 55 minutes, the whole middle order had been removed. So had Australia's hopes of squaring the series.
Then it was just a case of wrapping up the tail.
Ryan Harris (11) was plumb lbw to Broad, who then bowled Nathan Lyon for 8 to bring up his second five-fer of the match.
