England are only three wickets away from an incredible Ashes victory, earned after two decades of submission down under as Australia struggle to avoid another innings defeat and more humiliation.
james anderson michael clarke
The change of captaincy, albeit for the one Test from Ricky Ponting to Michael Clarke, failed to change Australia's fortunes as they appear to be hurtling towards defeat at stumps on the fourth day.
Batting on a back of a huge deficit and with little by way of motivation, Australia are still trailing by 151 runs with only three wickets in hand and look set for another huge defeat at the hands of the visitors who have been impossible to halt in rewriting history.
After England garnered a huge first innings total of 644 in response to Australia's 280, it was always going to be a tough task for Australia to make a comeback at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Matt Prior completed his Test century to make it three in England's line up.
Australia, however, were forced to rue the lack of the same in their own batting in the second innings as they lost Shane Watson early to a run out and found James Anderson striking at a faster rate than Mitchell Johnson and Ben Hilfenhaus could manage in England's innings.
Thereafter it was difficult even for Clarke to save Australia, batting as he was on forty-one runs before Anderson made light work of him. Australia's quick loss was shared between the England bowlers to end the day on a high note, with celebrations virtually assured early for day five.
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