England seal historic Ashes win

England have completed their first Ashes win Down Under in 24 years after taking the last three Australia wickets on the final morning of the fifth Test at the SCG.

With the urn already retained the all-important series victory was already virtually certain, but by finishing the job, after a battling eighth-wicket stand and a delay for rain, Andrew Strauss' side ensured the 3-1 scoreline they so richly deserved.

The margin in Sydney was an innings and 83, their third innings success of the tour, statistics that make light of the long barren run in Australia which saw five unsuccesful tours in a row.

The last wickets to fall were Peter Siddle, Ben Hilfenhaus and Michael Beer, whose dismissal at the hands of Chris Tremlett ushered in the end of a remarkable series for Andrew Strauss' men.

After England had drawn a blank against Australia's eighth-wicket pair in the extra half-hour on Thursday night, heavy showers delayed them further.

Play got under way on time, but Steve Smith and Siddle soon took their stubborn stand beyond 50, and survived five overs before more rain arrived to frustrate England.

They stood firm and looked untroubled after the resumption too - and a second new ball was beckoning by the time Siddle was caught by James Anderson off the bowling of Graeme Swann at deep midwicket, to go for a career-best 43 in a partnership of 86.

Chris Tremlett and Anderson returned when the new ball was taken and it was the latter - who has cemented his reputation as a world-class attack leader during this series - who made it pay.

He pitched one full to tailender Hilfenhaus, found a little swing and took the edge of the bat to provide Matt Prior with an easy catch behind the stumps.

Smith (54 not out) was having some fun at the other end and passed 50 with a meaty four off Anderson.

Last man Beer was the final wicket to fall, caught back on the crease by Tremlett and dragging onto the stumps to tee up ecstatic scenes from a jubilant England side.