England was only three wickets away from its first series victory Down Under in 24 years after humbling Australia on the fourth day in the final Sydney Ashes cricket Test on Thursday. Needing either a win or a draw to take the series, England posted its highest-ever score in Australia of 644 and then ripped through the hosts' batting order, taking seven wickets by the close.

England, which leads the series 2-1, has already retained the Ashes and is now three wickets away from securing an innings victory, with it a richly deserved series win, on Friday's final day. At the close, Australia was all but down for the count at 213 for seven with Steven Smith on 24 and Peter Siddle on 17 and still 151 runs in arrears.

Published Date : Friday, 7/1/2011 1:15 PM IST