LEEDS - Australia thrashed England inside three days to take the fourth test and level the five-match Ashes series at 1-1, winning by an innings and 80 runs after Mitchell Johnson took five second-innings wickets.
An enterprising eighth-wicket partnership of 108 from 79 balls from Graeme Swann (62) and Stuart
Broad (61) at Headingley delayed the inevitable defeat and helped England avoid some unwanted records.
When Swann came to the crease at 120-7, England was still 42 runs short of its heaviest test defeat at home to Australia (innings and 180 runs at Trent Bridge in 1989) and 74 runs from its heaviest test defeat at Headingley (innings and 148 against Australia in 1993).
Johnson took 5-69 from 19.3 overs, ending the match by bowling Graham Onions for a duck about 40 minutes after lunch.
The series will now be decided in the fifth test at The Oval starting August 20. England needs to win to regain the Ashes, which are currently held by the Australians after their 5-0 series win in 2006-07.
"It's been an enjoyable week," Australia captain Ricky Ponting said. "I'm very proud of the guys for the way they have played. There was some great bowling on the first day when there wasn't much in the wicket and that set us up."
England was behind in the match after winning the toss and capitulating to 102 all out for its lowest test score against Australia on this ground in 100 years. The visitors hit back with 445 with Marcus North scoring 110 and Michael Clarke making 93.
"We didn't really turn up this week," said England captain Andrew Strauss, who was booed by the home fans. "We are still 1-1 in the series and we now have a few days off and we need to be ready at The Oval. It's not a time for panic. We need to stay calm."
England resumed Sunday on 82-5 and soon lost night-watchman James Anderson for 4 and Matt Prior for 22.
Anderson extended his world record for most consecutive innings without registering naught to 54 when he hit a boundary. But next delivery, the day's third, saw him edge Ben Hilfenhaus to Ricky Ponting at second slip to make it 86-6 in the 33rd over.
Prior was the next to go when his tentative push at a ball from Hilfenhaus on off stump was caught by wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, pouching the ball one-handed while diving to his right. The score was then 120-7 in the 39th over of the innings.
Prior added 34 with Stuart Broad, who claimed test best figures of 6-91 Saturday.
Broad was dropped by Peter Siddle at mid-off on 18 from a leading edge off Mitchell Johnson. He was dropped again on 53 by Johnson at long-off and by a diving Simon Katich on the midwicket boundary on 57, but his attacking strokes frustrated Australia.
Broad and Swann fought hard and scored 49 runs in a three-over spell that saw Stuart Clark concede 16 runs in the 47th and 49th over and Siddle 17 runs in the 48th. Broad registered his half-century off just 42 balls by clubbing Siddle down the ground for another boundary.
Broad was eventually out when he pulled Siddle to Shane Watson on the midwicket boundary.
Swann reached his fifty off 53 balls by hooking Siddle over fine leg. Siddle conceded just four runs from his six overs Saturday. Yet his six overs Sunday cost 46.
Swann eventually edged Johnson to Haddin trying another heave over long-on in the 60th over. He faced 72 balls and struck seven fours and a six.
Nine deliveries later, Onions was out for his second duck of the match to make Australia favorites to retain the Ashes urn.
The match started in chaotic circumstances for England. After days of speculation about whether allrounder Andrew Flintoff would be fit to play (and he wasn't), there was late panic about Prior's fitness only minutes before the toss after he had a back spasm in the warm-up.
Prior was only able to play after England received permission from Australia to delay the toss by 10 minutes to give him time to assess his fitness.
Earlier Friday, England's players were forced to stand on the street outside their hotel after the fire alarm was set off. An Australian newspaper reported that Australian fans had admitted blame for that prank.
The first test at Cardiff was drawn before England won at Lord's by 115 runs. The third test at Edgbaston was also drawn.
- AP
LEEDS - Australia thrashed England inside three days to take the fourth test and level the five-match Ashes series at 1-1, winning by an innings and 80 runs after Mitchell Johnson took five second-innings wickets.
An enterprising eighth-wicket partnership of 108 from 79 balls from Graeme Swann (62) and Stuart
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