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England humiliate Australia at Trent Bridge to reclaim Ashes

Last updated on: August 08, 2015 17:01 IST

England's Ben Stokes celebrates with Joe Root after the wicket of Australia's Mitchell Starc

England's Ben Stokes celebrates with Joe Root after the wicket of Australia's Mitchell Starc on Day 3 of the 4th Test at Trent Bridge on Saturday. Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images via Reuters

England reclaimed the Ashes urn after hammering Australia by an innings and 78 runs when the tourists were bowled out for 253 on Day 3 of the fourth Ashes Test at Trent Bridge in Nottingham on Saturday.

- Scorecard

Alastair Cook became only be the third English captain after WG Grace and Mike Brearley to win two Ashes series on home soil.

With the conditions overcast and the ball swinging profusely both ways, Ben Stokes continued from where he left off and made the first breakthrough of the day.

In just the second over of play, Stokes found Mitchell Starc’s outside edge and had him caught at second slip by Ian Bell for a duck.

England's Mark Wood celebrates the wicket of Australia's Nathan Lyon

England's Mark Wood celebrates the wicket of Australia's Nathan Lyon as England win the Ashes. Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images via Reuters

Two overs later, Mark Wood then yorked Josh Hazlewood and dismissed him for a duck.

Wood produced another ferocious full-pitched delivery to shatter Nathan Lyon's stumps and complete the rout, sparking wild celebrations on the pitch and all around the ground.

"It's unbelievable. I couldn't be happier," England captain Alastair Cook told reporters.

"For what we've been through over the last 18 months, to play like we did has been fantastic. I'm so proud of this young team and the way they've taken this opportunity."

Adam Voges was unbeaten on 51 in Australia's total of 253.

Stuart Broad was named Player of the Match for figures of 9 for 51.

England lead the series 3-1 with one match to play.