Australia recorded a 150-run victory on day five of the third Test against England at the WACA to regain the Ashes.
The tourists, chasing 504 for an unlikely win, lost just one wicket in the first session of the day as Ben Stokes (120) recorded his maiden Test century to frustrate the hosts.
Stokes was dismissed shortly after the lunch break and his departure marked the beginning of the end, with England eventually being dismissed for 353.
Mitchell Johnson (4-78) took the final wicket of James Anderson to earn the win that gives Australia an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-Test series.
Read below to find out how Michael Clarke's side recorded their first Ashes triumph since the 2006/07 series.
Hello everyone. Will Australia win the Ashes today? The hosts start the final day of the third Test as firm favourites to take an unassailable 3-0 series lead. They need just five more wickets to take the urn away from England.
England's hopes are not dead just yet. The game could have been lost yesterday but Ben Stokes impressed with 72 not out to hold back the Australians in the final session. He will have to produce even more heroics for England to salvage this Test match.
England will start the day on 251-5. Their target is 504, but with very little strength left in the batting lineup it's going to take something very special to stop them from losing the series today.
Stokes and his batting partner, Matt Prior, must survive the first session of the day. An early wicket will boost Australia's confidence and they'll be eager to wrap the match up as quickly as possible. It's a strange sport on some days. Can we expect to see more drama?
Australia haven't won the Ashes since the 2006/07 series. It's difficult to argue that they don't deserve to end the frustration today at the WACA. Darren Lehmann and Michael Clarke have the current team playing an exciting brand of cricket and they've been completely dominant in the first three Test matches.
The first wicket will be vital. Australia need to be patient because they've got three sessions to take the five wickets they need. Tim Bresnan is the next man in for England and, while he's useful with the bat, Australia have been superb bowling at the England tail in this series. One early dismissal could bring five very quickly.
Stokes will do himself a big favour if he can record his maiden Test century. England have been missing an all-rounder since Andrew Flintoff's retirement. Stokes is definitely a raw talent but a big score at the WACA will certainly help his progress.
There's been a lot of questions asked about the England squad since they were comfortably beaten in the first Test. Is this the end for the current squad? It would be a big risk for the selectors to drop the senior players that have served the side so well during the successful years.
Clarke might be an Ashes-winning captain by lunch on day five. It's not been easy since he took over as leader of the Test squad but five wickets today will make it all worthwhile.
The players are heading out to the middle now. How much cricket will we see at the WACA today?
The target for Australia is five wickets. An early wicket will calm any nerves in the home dressing room. Ryan Harris and Mitchell Johnson need to put the pressure on immediately.
England's first challenge will be to make it to lunch. Stokes (72*) will be desperate to reach three figures. Matt Prior (7*) needs to find some form to silence his critics. The new ball is just 13 overs away.
Stokes starts the day on strike. Johnson will bowl the first over. Umpire Marais Erasmus is ready. Play!
It doesn't matter what situation England are in, the Barmy Army will always start each day by singing Jerusalem. Great support for the tourists. Stokes looks solid at the start of the over but he can only nod in approval when Johnson nips one back past the inside edge. It's a maiden. Harris to begin from the other end.
The cracks in the pitch are still there and they are bigger than ever. However, if a you are unlucky enough to be dismissed by a ball that misbehaves off a crack, it really isn't your day. Harris follows the usual trend of trying to target Prior's stumps with one that nips back but the batsman does just enough to nudge a couple into the leg-side. Early swing at the WACA for Harris. Good signs for Australia. Stokes 72* Prior 9
Stokes, who pulled the ball so impressively yesterday, misses when he attempts to attack a short ball from Johnson. An attempted yorker follows and Stokes does well to get bat on ball to collect a single. Prior wisely decides against playing when Johnson delivers a sharp bouncer. Just one run from the over.
There's an appeal for lbw from the slips but Stokes is safe, with Billy Bowden correctly suggesting that the ball pitched outside leg-stump to the left-handed batsman. A firm push down the ground earns Stokes a couple of runs. Close! Harris produces some late swing to zip the ball past the outside edge of the bat. Stokes 75 Prior 9*
Prior does well to connect with a 92mph bouncer and his reward is a single on the leg-side. Stokes nudges the ball into the leg-side to rotate the strike again. Another quick short delivery arrives late in the over but Prior ducks the threat on this occasion.
Harris can't help but laugh when a ball that hits a crack leaves Stokes playing an air shot. The Durham all-rounder gets a vital inside edge on the ball to stop the hosts from launching an lbw appeal. Harris then finds some late movement to beat the outside egde. Shot! The pressure was building but Stokes fights back with a clip through mid-wicket for four runs. Stokes 80 Prior 10*
First change of the morning as Siddle comes on to replace Johnson. The seamer does exactly what Clarke wants from him, with Prior playing a shot at every ball. No mistakes, despite a flirth with a wider delivery at the end of the over. Maiden.
Stokes moves closer to a maiden Test century with a push to cover for one. Prior targets square-leg when Harris strays onto the pads but Bailey blocks the ball at short-leg. England have survived the first 30 minutes.
The cracks play a part again as Siddle sends a normal length ball past Stokes at ankle-height. It's another very good over from the seamer. Maiden.
Watson is into the attack for the first time today. England supporters won't thank me if I curse the tourists, but Stokes and Prior have looked solid. Prior reaches the rope by steering a wider ball through point for four runs. Just the boundary from Watson's over. Stokes 81* Prior 14
Stokes plays the shot of the day so far with a perfect drive through extra cover for four which also brings up the 50 partnership. A single hands the strike to Prior, who frustrates the hosts by edging the ball short of the slips. England's reigning player of the year then does well to keep out a sharp delivery from the seamer. The new ball will be available in two overs.
I reckon Siddle's spell might be finished. Clarke may want to give Nathan Lyon an over before the second new ball arrives. Four runs for Stokes when a thick outside edge beats Warner at gully to send the ball through third-man. He's just 10 away from a century. Stokes 90 Prior 14*
Clarke persists with Siddle and his faith is almost rewarded when Prior chases a wider ball from the seamer but just manages to avoid edging through to Haddin. Good cricket from the batting duo to pick up two when Prior flicks the ball through fine-leg. Some late movement at the end of the over causes problems for Prior but he survives. The new ball is immediately taken. Harris will return to the attack.
Harris produced a beauty to dismiss Cook with the new ball yesterday and he's inches away from doing the same when Stokes watches one nip past his off-stump. England's all-rounder seems to lose sight of the ball when he's hit on the pads moments later. Lyon misses with the throw from point as Stokes is forced to dive to make his ground. Stokes finds a single before receiving the strike again following a leg-bye. There's still time in the over for Harris to beat the bat again with a stunning delivery.
Johnson shares the new ball with Harris. Prior starts the 82nd over of the innings by pushing a single to cover. Stokes is happy to leave the ball outside off-stump before moving to 93 not out with two runs to deep cover. Can he find seven more? Time for a drinks break.
There's a long way to go for the tourists but England will be very happy with their work so far in the first session. Stokes is closing in on a maiden Test century. Both he and Prior have played sensibly. Australia need to remain patient.
Harris pulls his length back slightly to catch Prior's edge but the ball races past Warner and to the rope at third-man for four runs. Every Australian supporter is worried when Johnson's knee gets stuck in the ground as he fields in the deep. Memories of Simon Jones a few years back come to mind. It looks like he's fine, though. Four more runs is the result. Prior frustrates the hosts again by miscuing a pull shot and picking up a single when the ball lands in a gap. Stokes 93 Prior 26*
No chance for Haddin as he dives down the leg-side to watch a Johnson bouncer race away for four byes. Prior does well to get his bat down when the ball keeps low off a crack in the pitch and he's alert enough later in the over to keep a short ball from reaching Bailey at short-leg.
Australia's players shouldn't be getting too worried just yet. Stokes continues to frustrate the hosts as he safely negotiates a maiden from Harris.
WICKET! PRIOR (26) C HADDIN B JOHNSON
Finally, a breakthrough for Australia! Prior makes his first mistake of the morning when he goes after a wide one from Johnson and he pays the ultimate price when Haddin collects the ball off the inside edge. Big moment in this match. Bresnan in next.
Bresnan will be brave at the crease but he knows it will take something very special from England to save this match. England's number eight survives his first four balls. Wicket maiden from Johnson.
Stokes has been in the nineties for a long time now but he's not looking worried as Harris steams in at the start of a new over. The all-rounder continues to edge closer to a century with a gloved single through fine-leg. Stokes 94* Bresnan 0
Stokes pulls Johnson in front of square for a couple of runs early in the over, before playing a similar shot for the same result moments later. A firm drive deflects off Johnson's hand and hits Marais Erasmus to deny Stokes another run. CENTURY! He's done it! What a moment for Ben Stokes as he reaches his maiden Test century with a topd edge through fine-leg for four. It's been a great effort under huge pressure. Very, very impressive from the young all-rounder. Close! Stokes is almost sent packing just a few seconds later when an edge sails over gully for four more. Stokes 106 Bresnan 0*
Stokes is the first England player to reach three figures in the series, compared to the seven hundreds scored by the hosts. Have England found a new star? It's a big confidence boost for the all-rounder to record a century under so much pressure. Bresnan gets off the mark at the end of another Harris over with a couple through third-man.
It might be the fifth day of a Test match but it's surprising to see how many Australians have decided against heading to the WACA today. I think there's more England supporters in the ground. Siddle returns to the attack with just over 20 minutes left in the session. Stokes has his eye on lunch as plays sensibly in the over, with just a leg-bye being added to England's total.
It's the first time in 34 Test matches that an England number six has scored a century. Many have attempted to make the position their own since Paul Collingwood's retirement. Can Stokes hold that place down?
Six! A new spell from Lyon invites an attacking shot from Stokes, who skips down the pitch to launch the ball over the rope at long-on. The batting duo trade singles in the middle of the over to keep Clarke on his toes. Shot! Stokes doesn't find the middle of the bat at the end of the over but he still manages to loft four more over mid-on.
Shot! Bresnan shows Australia his ability with the bat when he cuts Siddle past point for four. It's just the boundary from the 92nd over of the innings. Stokes 117* Bresnan 7
Clarke sends a few more fielders back following the charge from Stokes in the previous over. Close! Groans from Lyon, Haddin and Clarke when Stokes prods the ball just wide of a diving Steve Smith at short-leg. The Australian captain, in particular, looks very twitchy. Maiden over.
Bresnan deserves a run for a firm drive but he picks out Rogers at cover, before fighting the urge to chase a couple of wider balls. Siddle keeps it tight in the over to complete a maiden.
Close! Stokes leaves a couple early in the over but he can't help but lunge forward to defend a straighter ball, which turns and bounces to land in Clarke's hands at slip. Much better from Lyon. One more over left in the session.
LUNCH: A ball misbehaves off the pitch to beat Haddin down the leg-side and race away for four byes. Siddle laughs, Clarke does not. Australia end the session needing four more wickets for Ashes glory. Stokes 117* Bresnan 7*
Well played, Ben Stokes and England. Australia are still firm favourites to win this match but Stokes has kept the tourists alive with his maiden Test century. This match isn't over just yet.
England need another 172 runs to claim an astonishing victory. Australia must remain patient when they return after the lunch. There's still a lot of time left in the day.
Join me in around 30 minutes for the second session as Stokes looks to cause the hosts to sweat for a bit longer. See you then.
Welcome back everyone. England fans might be thinking about when it will be acceptable to start believeing in the seemingly impossible. Australia weren't at their best in the first session of the day but they still hold all the cards.
Stokes was superb in the first couple of hours and he fully deserved the standing ovation he received when he reached three figures. It could end in disappointment for the tourists today, but his performance has been a rare positive moment on a frustrating tour.
England start the second session needing 172 runs. It was impossible this morning. It's unlikely now. Australia shouldn't be too worried yet. They'll know that one wicket could bring four.
The players are back out in the middle following the lunch break. Stokes on strike. Lyon to bowl. Play!
Stokes picks the gap to pick up two on the off-side when Lyon drops his length slightly. The Durham knows where his off-stump is and he's more than happy to leave for the rest of the over. Stokes 119 Bresnan 7*
Johnson starts the session with the ball at the other end. Bresnan will not be surprised to see a bouncer aimed at him, with a short-leg and leg-gully for support. The first short ball catches the glove but the ball races away for one to fine-leg. Stokes plays the perfect straight drive, only to see Johnson stick out a hand and stop a boundary. Laughs from everyone at the WACA when Billy Bowden, standing at square-leg, is forced to dive on the ground to avoid a pull from Stokes. Two off the over.
Close! Wow, Stokes is a lucky boy. He bravely leaves at the start of Lyon's over and only a flick of the pad saves him from being bowled.
WICKET! STOKES (120) C HADDIN B LYON
Big wicket! No luck for Stokes this time as he delivers a thin bottom edge to Haddin, who takes a brilliant catch behind the stumps. Every single person at the WACA applauds a brilliant innings from Stokes. Australia need just three more wickets to win the Ashes.
It's Graeme Swann, rather than the injured Stuart Broad, who arrives at the crease. Swann starts his innings with a slog-sweep through mid-wicket for four. Wow! Lyon hits one of the cracks and the ball somehow finds its way to Warner at leg-stump. That's an amazing delivery.
There's been a lot of talk about sledging and the spirit of cricket in this series. We've seen some ugly scenes but it was very nice to watch the Australian players applaud Stokes for his wonderful knock.
Johnson decides short bowling is the way to go at Bresnan. The first two deliveries pass by at shoulder height before the third bouncer finds the crack and sails over Haddin for four byes. Bresnan opens the face of the bat to guide two runs through third-man at the end of the over.
WICKET! SWANN (4) C SMITH B LYON
The fat lady is clearing her throat now. Australia move closer to regaining the Ashes when an inside edge from Swann flicks the pad before landing in Smith's hands at short-leg. Lyon picks up another wicket. Just two more needed for the hosts.
Broad limps out to the middle with the Barmy Army singing his name. The new batsman keeps out the rest of the over from Lyon, who now has figures of 3-68.
Bresnan decides against taking an early single which would expose Broad to Johnson, who would love to have another go at his best mate. A drive through the covers beats Rogers and England pick up two.
WICKET! BRESNAN (12) C ROGERS B JOHNSON
Stunning diving catch from Rogers at mid-off as Johnson dismisses Bresnan with the slower ball. Clever bowling, superb fielding. Australia are one wicket away!
Anderson gets off the mark by flicking his second ball to fine-leg. Johnson vs. Broad. This is what the bowler wanted. Broad survives! The inevitable bouncer arrives but the left-handed batsman does well to duck out of the way.
Anderson chips the ball into the off-side but there's no single taken. A thick edge beats Clarke at slip and the strike is handed to Broad, who picks up a single through third-man at the end of Lyon's over. Johnson vs. Broad - the sequel.
Broad gets to the non-striker's end with a flick through square-leg for one.
WICKET! ANDERSON (2) C BAILEY B JOHNSON
AUSTRALIA WIN THE ASHES! Brilliant scenes at the WACA as Anderson chips Johnson to Bailey at short-leg to hand the urn back to Australia. What a stunning team display once again! Australia have been superb once again and the win the series with two games to spare.
It's a 150-run victory for the hosts. They've been made to wait today, but the celebrations show that it was certainly worth it.
Michael Clarke regains the Ashes. England have dominated this contest since 2007 but it's taken Australia just 14 days to win the series. It really has been an incredible display from Australia.
There's a lot of smiles, a few tears and plenty of hugs going on out the middle. The players shake hands. Where do England go from here? They'll have to produce something better to make sure they do not suffer a 5-0 whitewash.
"We've got them back," Haddin shouts to his teammates as the Australian camp gather on the boundary. The series victory could not be more deserved by a team that has proved so many people wrong with three superb performances.
The list of heroes is a long one. One thing is for certain. This is a very special team that has a bright future ahead of them. It will take a much improved display from England if they are to compete on the same level when these two teams meet in the future.
Clarke has ended a run of three series defeats in a row to their oldest rivals to end a long spell of heartbreak. I'm sure there will be a few bottles of champagne opened tonight in Perth.
You can read a full report of the day's play here - Australia regain the Ashes.
The celebrations have just started at the WACA. Ben Stokes produced an impressive display with the bat to delay the victory but Australia held their nerve to pick up the wickets they needed for a deserved victory.
Thanks for joining me today on a special day for the men in baggy green caps. Our coverage for this series is not over, though. Make sure you join me for the fourth Test at 11pm (UK time) on Christmas Day as Australia look to pile even more misery on England by taking a 4-0 lead. Congratulations, Australia. Goodbye everyone.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
