England Stun Australia by 197-runs, Win Ashes by 2-1

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

Scores	Upcoming	Results
Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals - 47th Match 48th Match - Lucknow Super Giants v Mumbai Indians - April 30, 14:00 GMT 49th Match - Chennai Super Kings v Punjab Kings - May 01, 14:00 GMT 46th Match - Chennai Super Kings v Sunrisers Hyderabad at Chennai Chennai Super Kings won by 78 runs 45th Match - Gujarat Titans v Royal Challengers Bangalore at Ahmedabad Royal Challengers Bangalore won by 9 wickets (with 24 balls remaining)

Related links

The Ashes, 2009 News

Ashes Light up Testing Year for England [+]

England started 2009 by losing both their captain and their coach yet they ended it having triumphed in an Ashes series.

Clarke Blames In-accessibility of Indoor Stadium for Ashes Defeat [+]

Australia's acting skipper Michael Clarke has blamed lack of access to the facilities at Oval for their drubbing in the fifth Test, resulting in Ashes defeat.

I Misread Oval Pitch, Omitting Hauritz was a Mistake - Nielsen [+]

Forced into an introspection mode after the Ashes, Australian coach conceded he misread the pitch at The Oval and omitting Nathan Hauritz was a mistake.

Ponting Has Deserted the Sinking Ship - Thomson [+]

Australian pace great Jeff Thomson has lashed out at skipper Ricky Ponting for failing to lead the side during the Ashes series which they lost to England 1-2.

Players Back Ponting's Captaincy After Ashes Loss [+]

Ricky Ponting received the support of his players on Wednesday after they returned home following their Ashes defeat to England at the weekend.

Chappell Bats For Ponting as Jones Talks up Warne [+]

Former Australia captain Ian Chappell has come out in support of current skipper Ricky Ponting despite the Ashes series loss in England.

Broad Ambition Stretches Beyond Ashes [+]

Ashes hero Stuart Broad wants England to use their Test series win over Australia as a springboard for further success.

Oval Test Hero Trott Says he Just Tries to be Himself [+]

England's debutant hero Jonathan Trott says he's no Kevin Pietersen, but his own man.

Australia Continue Fatih on Ponting's After Ashes Loss - Sutherland [+]

Calls for Ricky Ponting to relinquish his captaincy in the wake of Australia's Ashes series loss to England are "completely unfair", Cricket Australia chief James Sutherland said.

Australia Bemoan Ashes Loss, Number One Status [+]

Having been the cricket world's unremitting bully-boy for nearly two decades, Australia was brought down to earth with an almighty thud, losing the Ashes to England, and their number one status to boot.