England Win the Ashes After Beating Australia by 74 Runs

England claimed a third successive Ashes series win after Stuart Broad inspired a 74-run victory over Australia at Chester-le-street.

Broad took 6-50 in the second innings and finished with match figures of 11-121 to defeat Australia for a third time this summer.

Michael Clarke's side appeared in the ascendancy in pursuit of 299 to win at 147 for 1 but Tim Bresnan's dismissal of opener David Warner sparked a collapse of eight wickets for 56 runs and gave England a much sought-after moment of euphoria which evaded them after rain at Old Trafford.

The home side had earlier finished on 330 all out after Ryan Harris (7-117) produced a dominant spell in the morning session, dismissing Ian Bell (113) and Matt Prior (0) in successive balls before seeing to Broad (13) and Bresnan (45).

Nathan Lyon had James Anderson (0) caught behind as England set Australia 299 to win the fourth test, a total which if successful would be the tenth highest chase in the country's history.

The contrast between Chris Rodgers' (49) stubborn technique and David Warner's flamboyance stifled England progress early on and saw off the new ball, with the pair reaching the highest opening partnership of the tour before the former was caught behind by Jonathan Trott off Graeme Swann.

Australia rallied however and were 147 for 1, 152 short of victory before a Broad-inspired England produced a performance which had previously propelled them towards the No.1 test ranking.

Usman Khawaja made just 21 before being trapped by Swann but when Bresnan produced a beauty to dismiss Warner (71) England could sense victory on day four.

Broad rattled Clarke's (21) off-stump in emphatic fashion before Steven Smith (2) played on.

Bresnan chipped in with a second wicket as Shane Watson (2) missed a straight one before Broad produced more heroics, trapping Brad Haddin (4) and bowling Nathan Lyon (8).

England asked for the extra half-and-hour in the fading Durham light but despite dropped chances from Swann and Bresnan, James Anderson caught Peter Siddle (23) to clinch the series at the death.