ADELAIDE: England crushed Australia by an innings and 71 runs after a spectacular collapse of wickets early on the final day in the second Ashes Test at the Adelaide Oval on Tuesday. The tourists ran through the Australians after snaring the important wicket of Mike Hussey and spinner Graeme Swann finished with five wickets for 91.
It was England's first Test victory in Adelaide since 1995 and their 100th overall against Australia.
Australia now have the difficult task of having to win two of the remaining three Tests to overhaul England and win back the Ashes they lost last year.
England are now well on track to winning an Ashes series in Australia for the first time since 1986-1987.
England thoroughly deserved their comprehensive victory after skittling Australia for 245 on Friday's first day and replying with a massive 620 for five declared, to hold a 375-run innings lead.
The tourists broke through with the big wicket of Hussey, and claimed three wickets in four balls with James Anderson removing Brad Haddin and Ryan Harris with successive balls and Marcus North following two balls later to Swann.
Hussey, who has been Australia's best-performing batsman in the series with 195 in first Brisbane Test and 93 in the first innings in Adelaide, was out for 52 in the third over of the second new ball by Steven Finn.
Hussey attempted a pull shot but top-edged to mid-on where James Anderson pocketed the catch to the delight of the Barmy Army fans on the scoreboard hill behind him.
Wicketkeeper Haddin, who scored 136 in the first Brisbane Test, fell on first drinks caught behind off Anderson for 12 and the ball after the break Harris was out lbw for a first-ball duck.
North was out lbw to Swann after an England referral and it was only a matter of time before England mopped up the last wickets of Xavier Doherty and Peter Siddle to claim victory.
England's win came with news that paceman Stuart Broad had been ruled out for the rest of the Ashes series with torn abdominal muscles.
Broad is expected to leave for home this week to begin his recovery process ahead of next February's ICC World Cup in India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Australia are also likely to be without opener Simon Katich for the rest of the series with an Achilles tendinopathy problem.
England amassed their fifth highest innings in Ashes Tests with their 620 for five and their second best in Australia, only surpassed by a 636 scored in Sydney in 1928.
