21 Dec 2010

Australia destroy England in third Test to level the Ashes

7:27 am on 21 December 2010

Australia have crushed England by 267 runs in the third Ashes Test in Perth to level the series at 1-1 with two matches to play.

Play lasted only 48 minutes on the fourth morning as the tourists were rumbled out for 123 after being set 391 for victory, England losing their final five wickets for just 42 runs.

Australian pacemen Ryan Harris (six for 47 in the second innings and three for 59) and Mitchell Johnson (three for 44 and six for 38) rounded up the England tail, and shared 18 wickets between them for the Test.

The Australian skipper Ricky Ponting says the win at the WACA was the perfect gift on a special day for the 36-year-old.