England Win Historic Ashes Series

England have ended twenty four years of heartbreak as they reclaimed the Ashes on Australian soil and won the series 3-1.

After an excellent first innings, which saw England notch up 644 runs they were firmly in control as Australia returned to the crease.

With the home side resuming on 213-7. 151 runs behind, England needed just three wickets to seal a famous win.

And in just over seventeen overs they bowled out Australia to win the fifth and final test by an innings and eighty three runs.

It was a rain interrupted day as play was suspended after just twenty five minutes but forty minutes later the two sides were back and England were on the hunt.

Siddle fell first to Graeme Swann for a total of forty three after had been part of an eighty six run partnership with Steve Smith.

Ben Hilfenhaus wasn't far behind as James Anderson was on hand to take the wicket before Chris Tremlett wrapped up proceedings by bowling out Michael Beer.

Alastair Cook, who found his form just at the right time, was named man-of-the-series as he scored 766 runs over the five tests.

While James Anderson was the leading wicket taker as he took twenty four wicket during the series.

Speaking to the BBC after the match James Anderson said: "It's been a great tour for us, an amazing sort of feeling for us retaining the Ashes last week and winning the series this week.

"I'm delighted with my form this trip, enjoying my role in the team leading the attack. My job has been made easy by the guys at the other end, Steven Finn and Stuart Broad at the start of the series and Chris Tremlett and Tim Bresnan later on, and our fielding has been amazing.

"We've been working really hard on it, the catches we've taken this series are better than any I remember in any other series."

England now move to third in the world rankings behind India and South Africa.

FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw