Less than three hours after Australia were nervously wondering if they’d scored enough runs, the hosts secured a thumping win in the fifth Test after their quicks ripped through England again.
For one last time in a disappointing series, the visitors raised the hopes of their suffering fans before dashing them spectacularly.
They were 0-68 and dreaming of a famous victory before once again falling in a heap, losing all 10 wickets for just 56 more runs, all out for 124.
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The second session began with a cautious optimism, after a passionate bowling performance that England had failed to display until Sunday.
It’s indicative of how good England’s attack was that the only Australian who exceeded 30 – Alex Carey – was twice saved by DRS before finally being dismissed on 49.
All summer, England had been begging for a Flintoffian performance from one of their bowlers, and finally it was Mark Wood who delivered – pure pace and energy that top order and tail alike failed to deal with.
The fast bowler finished with six wickets, Australia finished with a lead of 270. For a couple of hours, it looked like it would possibly not be enough as the English openers quickly chipped away.
Australia have done a remarkable job of sharing the plaudits this series – no one man has dominated the headlines but, rather, it’s been a ‘pass-the-parcel’ game of adulation. On Sunday it was Cameron Green’s turn.
Rory Burns and Zak Crawley survived an edge apiece in the opening couple of overs, but after that they looked more settled than any opening combination had for England in the series.
After what was by a distance their best opening stand of the tour, just six balls stood between England and tea. And with it, a chance to refresh with 10 wickets in hand and roughly 200 to victory, with time not a factor.
Instead, Green coaxed Burns into playing at a wide one which he chopped onto his own stumps. Dawid Malan did likewise straight after the interval, before Crawley was caught behind two overs later.
What looked to be smooth sailing had quickly into a shipwreck, Ben Stokes holed out in the deep off a Mitchell Starc bouncer not long after.
The procession continued after that. And who could really blame England’s tail for not wanting to stick around and have to show up again tomorrow?
Wood’s unique dismissal was the only memorable incident as the collapse was completed with about 40 minutes left in the day’s play.
It was fitting that Pat Cummins, in his first tour as skipper, delivered the final two blows – and with them, a victory in a chaotic and memorable Test match.
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