Australia cleansweep Ashes 5-0

Sydney, Jan 5 (IANS) Australia won the Ashes in a 5-0 whitewash after a 281-run win over England on the third day of the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground here Sunday.

Resuming the day on 140/4 in their second innings and leading by 311, Australia continued to pile on runs before being dismissed for 276 just after lunch, setting England a target of 448.

Opener Chris Rogers was the backbone of the Australian innings, putting on 119 runs — his highest Test score — and was well supported by George Bailey with 46 and 28 to wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin.

In response, England’s chase regularly faltered before they were bowled out for 166 between tea and scheduled close of play as pacer Ryan Harris took five wickets, supported by Mitchell Johnson with three and two to Nathan Lyon.

Harris was named the man of the match for his match figures of 8/61 while Johnson was awarded the Compton/Miller Medal (player of the series) for picking up 37 wickets in the series.