Cricket: Australia make it 4-0

MELBOURNE - Australia stormed to an innings and 99 runs victory over England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground this evening.

The victory wrapped up a fourth straight win in the series with more than two days remaining.

Australia secured the triumph after tea on the third day when they bowled the tourists out for 161 to remain on course for a first 5-0 series whitewash against England since 1920-21.

England trailed Australia by 260 runs on the first innings after bowling them out for 419 an hour before lunch, but were unable to muster enough runs to make the home side bat again.

In another collective abject display with the bat, only opener Andrew Strauss, with a defiant 31 over almost three hours, and wicketkeeper Chris Read (26 not out) took the fight to an Australian attack that was as ruthless as England were inept.

The fifth and final test starts in Sydney on Tuesday.

- REUTERS