Ashes 2013: Australia Clinch Series 3-0 as Ben Stokes's Ton Goes in Vain for England

Australia have clinched the Ashes series 3-0 after registering a 150-run victory over England in the third Test at Perth. The Aussies had earlier won the Brisbane and Adelaide tests.

Ben Stokes hit his first century as England went down fighting. Needing 252 runs to win, England began the final day with 251 runs on the board for the loss of five wickets with Ben Stokes on 72 and Matt Prior on 7 at the crease in a 31-run partnership. The two added 45 runs before the wicket-keeping batsman (26) got out to a Mitchell Johnson delivery.

As the hosts pressed ahead to mop up the four remaining wickets, Stokes completed his first century in Tests and attempted a valiant mission to save the match for the visitors.

Trying to execute a sweep off Nathan Lyon, Stokes just managed to get a thin edge and the ball landed in the hands of Brad Haddin behind the stumps. The centurion was gone for 120 runs and England had lost their seventh wicket with 336 runs on the board.

Graeme Swann walked in and faced a couple of balls before sending a Lyon delivery across the boundary. With 162 runs to win and three wickets remaining, the target of 503 runs looked insurmountable.

England had now played 100 overs in their second innings. Swann (4) was dismissed in Lyon's next over as he edged the ball onto his pad for Steve Smith to grab it at short leg.

After being down 347 for 8, England managed only six more runs as Johnson dismissed Tim Bresnan (12) and James Anderson (2) to complete a four-wicket haul in the second innings.

England were all out for 353 and it was match and series for Australia. Smith was declared the player of the match for his impressive century in the first innings.

England will be playing the remaining two Tests for pride as they look to avoid a series whitewash.