England clinch vital Ashes win in Adelaide.

England have won the second test by an innings and 71 runs, after swiftly bowling Australia out in the final day to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

Australia's prayers for rain were unanswered and they resumed play in glorious sunshine, knowing that the odds were stacked against them.

Everything went to plan for England, as the new ball ripped through the remaining batsmen. First innings saviour, Michael Hussey lasted just six overs before being dismissed for 52; a relief for England as he had been the only batsmen to offer any resistance.

The Burnley Express, swing bowler Jimmy Anderson proved why he has been instrumental in the Test series so far, as he struck with consecutive deliveries, dispatching Brad Haddin and Ryan Harris. Harris was given out lbw, meaning he was only the second Australian in history to be out for a king pair.

With only Marcus North left as a senior batsmen, the end was nigh for Australia. North made 22 before being trapped for lbw by Graeme Swann.

England completed the rout as Australia collapsed, signified by the wicket of Xavier Doherty, who was bowled by Swann. Doherty failed to justify his selection ahead of Nathan Hauritz.

Siddle was the last man out as Australia made 304, not nearly enough to salvage a draw for the hosts.

It was the first English win in Australia for 24 years and only their 9th in 30 tests in Adelaide, never a happy hunting ground. Jubilant celebrations followed from the tourists, who only need to draw to retain the urn.

If England win the next test in Perth in 8 days, then they will keep the Ashes as Australia could at best only level the series.

Captain, Andrew Strauss exclaimed his delight at the team's performance. He told Sky Sports: "We were pretty clinical in everything we did in this game. Bowling them out for 245 on the first day was an outstanding effort, and then we didn't let them back into the game. A lot of boxes were ticked in this game and we're pretty happy with our performance."

Strauss led the celebrations but called for the team to focus on the next test as well. He said: "We're always conscious that if you start patting yourself on the back too much in cricket it comes back to haunt you, but we're going to enjoy tonight - we deserved the victory - but that Perth Test match is even more important now.

Dejected Ricky Ponting blamed his side's 'shambolic start' for the defeat. He spoke to Sky Sports afterwards saying: "I would have liked it to have been five hard days, but we got off to a shambolic start to the Test match, losing those two wickets in the first over and then three wickets in the third over."

He added: "This is a bad loss for us, particularly after winning the toss here."

Victory was bittersweet for England, as it was announced soon after that Stuart Broad would miss the rest of the Ashes with a abdominal injury. He will also miss the one-day series, after the Ashes. Broad only took one wicket during the two tests he featured in, but was the most economical bowler when used.

Female First - Chris Mayer