Congrats to England

England won the final Ashes Test in Sydney by an innings and 83 runs to wrap up the series 3-1 and secure their first win down under in 24 years.

The Aussies began the last day in a hopeless position at 213-7, 151 runs behind, but Peter Siddle and Steve Smith kept England's champagne on ice.

Siddle finally went for 43 when slog-sweeping spinner Graeme Swann.  James Anderson removed Ben Hilfenhaus before Chris Tremlett bowled Michael Beer with the score on 281.

The final wicket sparked emotional celebrations for England, while the contrast in the Australian camp could not have been starker.

The chaos in the home dressing room was underlined when Michael Clarke, the stand-in skipper for this Test, resigned from Twenty20 internationals minutes after the official presentations.

England's fans dominated the Sydney Cricket Ground with the Barmy Army's songs and chants echoing around the famous arena.

Victorious skipper Andrew Strauss joined Sir Len Hutton and Mike Brearley to become only the third England captain to win Ashes series at home and away.  He said:

"We came over here desperately wanting to win the series.  Obviously in Melbourne we retained the Ashes but we really wanted to finish with a bang here in Sydney.  

All credit to the guys, they've been outstanding again, the way the bowlers bowled on day one, the batsmen dipped their bread in it again and we got another victory.

We're delighted with what we've done and we're certainly going to enjoy this evening, that's for sure." 

Bloody right- fantastic victory and thoroughly deserved.

I'm now going to find some Australians at the bar tonight so we can discuss cricket.  ;-)

BBC.