CRICKET

Australia level with England

08-10-2009 | AFP

Panama Star LEEDS,. Australia thrashed England by an innings and 80 runs as they won the fourth Test at Headingley here on Sunday inside three days to level the series at 1-1 and revive their bid to retain the Ashes.

The result left the Ashes all square ahead of the fifth and final Test at The Oval starting on August 20. England, who resumed Sunday in the dire position of 82 for five in their second innings, still 261 runs behind Australia's first innings 445 and facing the prospect of a record-breaking home defeat, were bowled out for 263. Stuart Broad (61) and Graeme Swann (62) delayed the seemingly inevitable with an eighth-wicket stand of 108 off 79 balls that delighted home fans after the pair had come together with England on 120 for seven,

At lunch, England were 245 for eight, 98 behind, with Swann 56 not out and Stephen Harmison six not out. But soon after the break Swann on 62, one shy of his Test-best score, was caught behind off left-arm quick Mitchell Johnson, who took five wickets for 69 runs in the innings. Johnson then wrapped up the match in the sixth over after lunch when he clean bowled last man Graham Onions for nought.

England captain Andrew Strauss said despite the lopsided result it was important that his side retain their composure. "We started very poorly, we've got to take it on the chin - we're not proud of what we've done this week, now we have got to lift ourselves.