England’s victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground means it travels to the final test in Sydney starting Sunday with a 2-1 series lead, but as the Ashes-holder, England needs only to draw the series to keep the urn.
Tim Bresnan claimed the final wicket and his fourth of the innings when Ben Hilfenhaus was caught behind for a duck to dismiss Australia for 258. Last batsman Ryan Harris could not bat due to a foot injury.
”We’re very excited right now. It’s a special occasion the MCG game. And to come out here and retain the Ashes will live long in all our memories,” England captain Andrew Strauss said.
The England team completed a lap of honor to the cheers of a vocal MCG crowd dominated by England’s ‘Barmy Army’ fans.
Brad Haddin brought up a gutsy half century in an 86-run eighth-wicket partnership with Peter Siddle, but they could only delay the inevitable. Haddin ended the match on an unbeaten 55 with four boundaries and a six.
