Ashes 2015: England hammer Australia to regain the urn, Michael Clarke announces retirement
8 Aug 2015 9:18 PM IST
Ashes 2015: England hammer Australia to regain the urn, Michael Clarke announces retirement
England completed its 18-month transformation from national embarrassment to Ashes winners on Saturday, taking 40 minutes to wrap up a series-clinching victory over Australia in the fourth test that ushered in the international retirement of Michael- Australia's last series win in England was in 2001 and its batsmen have been incapable of dealing with a swinging ball. England's players must wait until The Oval to get their hands on the little urn. (Photo: AP)
- "Someone told us to watch the Ashes from behind the sofa. From where we've been as a side over the last 18 months, we've stuck to what we believe was the right thing to do. The way the lads stepped up has been unbelievable," Cook said with a smile
- The fourth test has been forgettable for the Australians since the first morning, when they were skittled for 60 in 18.3 overs for the shortest first innings in test history. Then there was the ignominy of England declaring its first innings on 391-
- England changed coaches - twice - and refreshed its team in the wake of the 2013-14 Ashes whitewash, bidding farewell to senior stars Graeme Swann, Kevin Pietersen and Matt Prior. (Photo: AP)
- Clarke, who has scored only 117 runs in eight innings this series, will hang up his baggy green having never won an Ashes series in England. (Photo: AP)
- With minutes of the result, Clarke announced he will be retiring from test cricket after the fifth test at The Oval to end a 12-year international career. (Photo: AP)
- "It's not for want of trying, but the boys have been beaten by a better side," Clarke said. (Photo: AP)
- England won with two days and more than two sessions to spare in Nottingham, mirroring the eight-wicket win in the third test at Edgbaston. (Photo: AP)
- The English have won five of the last seven Ashes series, and the last four at home - an indication of just how tough they are to beat in English conditions when the ball swings and batsman's technique is tested. (Photo: AP)
- "I didn't think we were quite ready to win the Ashes at the beginning. But the guys have surprised me," said an emotional Alastair Cook, who survived as England captain throughout the upheaval. (Photo: AP)
- England had also been scarred by a 5-0 defeat Down Under 18 months ago, which sparked soul-searching and a regime change in English cricket. (Photo: AP)
- A victory by an innings and 78 runs moved England into an insurmountable 3-1 lead with one test remaining, a scarcely believable scenario considering the Australians came into the series as big favourites. (Photo: AP)
- When Nathan Lyon chopped a delivery from Mark Wood onto the stumps to end Australia's misery at Trent Bridge, England's jubilant players gathered in a huddle near the crease and jumped up and down in celebration at regaining the urn. (Photo: AP)
England completed its 18-month transformation from national embarrassment to Ashes winners on Saturday, taking 40 minutes to wrap up a series-clinching victory over Australia in the fourth test that ushered in the international retirement of Michael
Ashes 2015: England hammer Australia to regain the urn, Michael Clarke announces retirement
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