England started day four of the fourth Ashes Test looking to set up a potential victory over Australia at Chester-le-Street.
Tim Bresnan scored a crucial 45 and he was supported by Graeme Swann, who added 30* before England were dismissed for 330 as Ryan Harris once again starred with the ball to record career-best figures of 7-117.
Australia required 299 runs to win the Test match and they looked on course for a first victory of the summer when Chris Rogers (49) and David Warner (74) put together an opening stand of 109.
However, Stuart Broad produced a stunning display with the ball in the evening session to claim 6-50. It was the seamer who removed the resistant Peter Siddle (23) late in the day to secure a series win as Australia collapsed to 224 all out.
Read below to find out how England recorded a 75-run victory to claim a third successive Ashes series triumph.
Good morning. A great day for England means they're just edging this game at the moment. Ian Bell once again dominated the headlines with a superb century. Can Australia fight back today?
England begin the day leading by 202 runs. How big does their lead need to be? Batting could be difficult over the next couple of days, but I still think England will want to get as close to 300 as possible.
Ryan Harris impressed with the ball once again yesterday, returning figures of 3-74. He's been Australia's best bowler but they probably relied on him too much yesterday.
So, will this series forever be known as 'Bell's Ashes'? Three centuries in four matches certainly suggests so. England haven't been in trouble on too many occasions, but when they have, Bell has stepped up.
It's bright and dry at Chester-le-Street at the moment, but that might not be the case for the whole day? There's a chance of some heavy showers in the afternoon and later on in the day too. England will want the weather to stay out of their way.
Bell will resume on 105*, alongside Tim Bresnan (4*). Bresnan came in ahead of Matt Prior late yesterday evening, so England will be hoping that their wicketkeeper can find some form with the bat when he's called upon today. Prior can score very quickly and this situation could suit him.
Nathan Lyon enjoyed some success yesterday, removing Kevin Pietersen and Jonny Bairstow. There was signs that the pitch is starting to do some favours for the spinner. Graeme Swann will be very happy.
Bell currently has 492 runs to his name in this series and he scored his 20th Test century yesterday. I think it's fair to say he's in good form.
England have already retained the Ashes, but will today be the day when the hosts take a step closer to winning the series? Day four begins in just over five minutes.
The players are all out in the middle now. There's a good reception for both Bell and Bresnan. I'd expect the hosts to pretty positive this morning, but Australia will have other ideas. England lead by 202. Peter Siddle will bowl the first over of the day. Bell 105* Bresnan 4*
Shane Watson is on the field, despite being forced off the field with a groin injury yesterday. That's good news for Australia. Siddle's first over is decent but it's not a threatening one. Three runs are scored by England.
No surprise to see Lyon start the day with the ball in his hand. Bresnan and Bell trade singles early in the over. A wider deliver allows Bresnan to rock back and cut the ball through the covers. Warner does the chasing to restrict the batsman to just two runs.
It doesn't take long for Bell to settle down. He shows us his class with a perfect cover drive for four early in Siddle's over. A single hands the strike to Bresnan. The bowler continues to bowl a full length. Bresnan fancies his chances of copying Bell's drive but his shot isn't as well timed. Bell 111* Bresnan 10*
Siddle is slightly too short to Bell, who stands tall to punch a single into the leg-side. Bresnan thinks there may be two runs available when he nudges the ball through mid-wicket but his optimism counts for nothing and he settles for one. Usman Khawaja takes a catch at short-leg but the deflection came via the thigh pad.
Bell nudges the ball wide of Khawaja to pick up a single. Lyon goes too full to Bresnan, allowing the batsman to take his side to 250 with a push to mid-on. Lyon settles on a better length to end the over with four dot balls. The second new ball is now available and Australia have taken it immediately.
Harris is thrown the new ball by his skipper. The seamer starts with two gorgeous deliveries to fool Bresnan outside off-stump. Harris follows that by nipping one back to make life even more uncomfortable. Bresnan doesn't look confident against the new ball. Maiden for Harris.
A leg-bye allows Bell to get off strike at the start of Jackson Bird's over. REVIEW! Big stroke of luck for Bresnan. Bird gets one to nip back off the seam and hit Bresnan's pad, with the batsman electing not to play a shot. Australia decide to use a review. Hawkeye shows it was close but that the impact was only enough to stick with the umpire's call. Clarke is left frustrated at slip. Bird beats Bresnan's outside edge with a stunning delivery, but there's still no luck for Australia.
WICKET! BELL (113) B HARRIS
Harris makes the breakthrough! The new ball has done plenty since being taken by the Australians. Bell is surprised by a little bit of movement and can't keep the ball out when it keep slightly low. The stumps are punished and Harris has his fourth wicket. Bell's brilliant innings comes to an end. Everyone inside the ground stands to applaud a fantastic batsman.
WICKET! PRIOR (0) B HARRIS
What a beauty! Harris nips one back to hit the elbow with the ball, before once again seeing the bails disturbed. Not much Prior can do about that. His torrid run continues. Harris has five wickets and he's also on a hat-trick! Can Stuart Broad keep the next ball out?
Broad survives! Harris is on target but Broad gets forward to keep the ball away from his stumps. The new batsman then gets off the mark with four through third-man when Harris drops his length. Good response from the bowler to push the next delivery past the outside edge. Great fast bowling on show at Chester-le-Street. England's lead is 223.
It's time for some positive batting. Bresnan sits deep in his crease to cut the ball through the third-man region for four runs. Bird is struggling to carry the same threat as his bowling partner. Bresnan helps himself to four more past mid-on when the bowler is too straight. The batsman is surprised by some late movement in towards his pads but he still manages to hurry a leg-bye off the final ball of the over.
The England duo share three runs early in the over. Broad takes advantage when Harris strays onto his pads by clipping the ball through square-leg for four. The left-handed batsman makes it two boundaries in a row with a powerful drive through the covers.
WICKET! BROAD (13) C SMITH B HARRIS
Superb from Harris once again. The bowler responds to Broad's counter-attack with a fierce short ball, which forces the batsman to fend it to Smith in the gully. Six wickets for a fast bowler who continues to impress everyone watching. Broad departs for a breezy 13.
Graeme Swann is the new batsman but he's off strike for now. Bresnan helps himself to a couple of runs with a powerful pull to Lyon in the deep. Bird is too wide a ball later, which allows the Yorkshire ace to collect four more through third-man. Shot! Bresnan stands tall to launch Bird over mid-wicket for another four. It just gets better for England in the over as Bresnan hooks a bouncer to fine-leg for his third four from six balls. That may well be Bird's last over. Bresnan 36* Swann 0*
Good work from Swann to hand the strike to his partner with a quick single at the start of the over. Bresnan guides a couple of runs into the leg-side. That prompts Harris to come round the wicket and test the right-handed batsman with some short bowling. Superb batting from Bresnan as he gives himself some room to open up the off-side before hammering the ball through cover for four.
Bird is punished for that poor over, with Siddle coming on to replace his fellow seamer. There's no immediate effect though as Swann crunches a juicy half-volley through the off-side for four. A leg-bye allows England to rotate the strike. Siddle goes short to Bresnan, who pulls the ball through mid-wicket for a run. Close! Swann edges the ball just outside off-stump but the ball drops well short of Haddin. Clarke can't believe his luck when a second edge races through a gap in the slips and away for four. This is fascinating to watch. Time for a drinks break.
England now lead by 274 runs. Australia can't afford for Bresnan to do too much more damage. These runs could be crucial. Bresnan 43* Swann 9*
Harris calms things down with a much quieter over just after the break. Bresnan collects just two runs with a push through cover. The new ball is certainly doing a lot but Australia need to bowl a better length to these tail-end batsmen.
Swann can't help but go after a wide one from Siddle. Massive swing, but no contact with the ball. A straighter delivery is nudged into the leg-side for one. Bresnan avoids one bouncer, before wrestling with the idea of playing the next one, which is called a wide by the umpires.
Trademark Swann. Harris is a little too wide and a little too full, so Swann lofts the ball over cover for four. Good response from the bowler to force Swann back with a well-directed bouncer. No shot offered though and Swann survives.
Clarke isn't happy with Bird or Siddle at the moment. It's Lyon's turn to come into the attack. Bresnan defends well early in the over, before cutting and missing when the spinner increases his pace. A fuller delivery invites the drive but Rogers is alert to stop the ball at cover. Maiden over.
Swann pushes the ball past Harris to collect three and hand the strike to his partner. Bresnan miscues a shot slightly but the ball drops well short of Bird at mid-on.
WICKET! BRESNAN (45) C&B HARRIS
Bresnan's entertaining innings comes to an end when he offers Harris a simple return catch while attempting to work the ball into the leg-side. How important could that knock be? Harris now boasts career-best figures of 7-105.
DROP! The English supporters cheer and clap when Smith makes an awful mistake. Swann hits Lyon straight into the air and it looks a certainty that he'll be caught. However, Smith can't keep hold of the ball at long-on, much to the amusement of the Durham faithful. James Anderson is the new batsman and he adds to Lyon's frustration by displaying solid defence. England lead by 286.
Swann decides there's no use in wasting time with defensive strokes. A textbook cover drive is followed by a lofted shot over the same region for eight from the first two balls in the over. Swann refuses to take a single when the ball squirms away to third-man. Harris tests his opponent with the shorter ball, which Swann fends to Smith at third-man. It's 12 from the over when Swann backs away to slice four more over the slips. Swann 30* Anderson 0*
WICKET! ANDERSON (0) C HADDIN B LYON
Lyon ends Australia's frustration with a beauty to catch Anderson's outside edge. Haddin does the rest and the tourists will need 299 runs to win this Test match. Harris salutes the crowd after returning figures of 7-117. Lyon managed to take 3-55. Australia dace a tricky period of around 20 minutes before lunch.
Australia will be bitterly disappointed that they allowed their rivals to add so many runs this morning. Bresnan's 45 and Swann's 30* could prove to be crucial at the end of this game. England will be full of confidence now. One thing is for certain, we are in for a thrilling climax at Chester-le-Street.
England will be desperate to strike with the new ball before lunch. We did see movement this morning but in truth, Australia didn't bowl well enough at the tail-end batsmen. Anderson and Broad will fancy their chances in the next 20 minutes.
299 will be a difficult target, but it's certainly not impossible. I'd expect David Warner to play in his normal aggressive manner as Australia look to pull one back in this series. The players and umpires are back out in the middle.
Anderson will bowl the first over of the innings. Rogers and Warner open the batting. Australia need 299 to win. Play!
Rogers starts the scoring by nudging the second delivery off his pads for one. Warner does a good job of leaving a couple of dangerous balls outside off-stump. No shots from Warner just yet. One scored in the first over.
Broad is given the responsibility of sharing the new ball with Anderson. He starts with a poor wider delivery which moves even further away from Prior, before racing away for four byes. Broad readjusts and sends down five dot balls. Steady start from Australia.
Warner blocks well, and sneaks a single when the ball travels past Anderson. A sliced drive from Rogers sneaks through a gap on the off-side to give the Middlesex opener a couple of runs. REVIEW! England think they have Rogers trapped lbw. Tony Hill disagrees, but a review is used by the hosts. Hawkeye proves Hill correctly, with the technology showing that the ball pitched outside leg-stump. Good decision. England lose a review. Will they regret that?
Warner flicks Broad into the leg-side for a single. There's some good bounce for the bowler but Rogers reads the shorter delivery well to sneak a single to square-leg. Warner gets stuck on the crease and is fortunate that an inside edge cannons into his pad, rather than his stumps. Rogers 4* Warner 2*
Rogers looks solid in the final over before lunch. The Middlesex is clearly in good shape following his century in the first innings. Anderson even changes his angle but his experiment from round the wicket fails to make the desired impact. Rogers flicks the final ball to fine-leg for one to ensure that he'll start the next session on strike.
LUNCH: Australia have survived their first five overs, meaning Warner and Rogers will return after lunch. The ball hasn't done too much for England just yet but there's sure to be some challenging times for the tourists in the near future. Australia need 288 more runs to win the match. Rogers 5* Warner 2*
We'll join the players by taking a break. Return in around 35 minutes when coverage of this fascinating Test match will continue. See you then.
RAIN! Welcome back everyone. I'm afraid I return with bad news. The rain has been falling at Chester-le-Street for over 10 minutes now and all of the covers have been brought on. There's a chance it's just a shower but a 1.40pm restart isn't very likely.
Unfortunately, the rain is falling very heavily now. It's a shame because we've seen some excellent cricket played in the first session of the day.
Don't worry, the crowd have come prepared today. There's plenty of umbrellas up. The rain has just eased off slightly and some of the covers have been removed.
Australia are currently 11-0 in their second innings after five overs. They require 288 more runs for victory. Rogers 5* Warner 2*
The umpires have headed out to the middle to inspect the field of play. It's certainly a lot brighter than it has been during the lunch interval. It's looking promising at the moment but the ground staff will have to work their magic first.
UPDATE: The women's Ashes series is continuing today at Wormsley. England are currently 17-0 in reply to Australia's 331-6 declared in the first Test.
The rain has now stopped completely at Chester-le-Street and the umpires have confirmed that a full inspection will take place at 2.10pm.
It may be dry at the moment but there's a good chance we could see some more rain later in the day. I think both sides will want to be out there playing. All three results are still possible in Durham.
The match is delicately poised at the moment. England showed this morning that you can still bat with confidence on this pitch. Graeme Swann could prove to be the key for the hosts.
It's worth taking a moment to recognise just how good Ryan Harris has been over the past couple of days. The 33-year-old's career has been curtailed by injury, but there's no doubting his quality. Seven wickets in England's second innings proved that.
RAIN! I don't think that inspection will be happening at 2.10pm anymore. It's pouring it down at Chester-le-Street again and it looks like we're in for a much longer display.
It's incredibly frustrating for everyone inside the ground. Chester-le-Street has been a great venue over the past four days. The pitch has offered something to everyone and we've seen some brilliant performances.
If you believe the weatherman, we could see a long dry spell starting in the next 30 minutes or so. Let's hope that is the case. We're in for a thrilling day if the rain can stay away for a sustained period.
I'd love to be giving you news of nudged singles, dropped catches, and seam movement. Instead, we're sitting here waiting for the clouds to vacate the Durham area. Keep your fingers crossed.
Whisper it quietly, but the covers are coming off again. It's starting to brighten up at Chester-le-Street. Hopefully the umpires will reappear in the near future.
The new ball didn't do too much for England just before the lunch break. However, the effect of the heavy roller won't be as prominent when the players return, so it could be tricky for Rogers and Warner.
BREAKING NEWS: The umpires have headed out to the middle in the last few minutes. It's dry and a lot brighter. Play will restart at 2.50pm. Finally, some good news from Durham.
So, the players have just under 20 minutes to get their gear back on and prepare for the resumption of play. It's not unusual for a wicket to come quickly following a delay like the one we've had. Anderson and Broad will be desperate for victims.
The ground staff are busy doing what they do best out in the middle. We just need to hope that no more rain arrives before the restart. It's a crucial session of cricket coming up.
Tea will now be taken at 4.45pm, lasting for 20 minutes. The evening session will be between 5.05pm and 7.00pm, with a possible 30 minutes available if required. There are 59 overs scheduled.
So, you could have to put up with me until 7.30pm tonight. That's obviously if the rain and any bad light stays away. The umpires are out in the middle. They'll be joined by the players in just a few moments.
Everything is in place now. The sun is shining. Broad has the ball in his hand. The Australian openers have taken their respective guards. Australia need 288 more runs to win. Rogers 5* Warner 2*
It doesn't take long for Broad to produce a beauty. Rogers fails to move his feet and he's lucky not to edge the ball through to Prior. Close! Rogers gets a leading edge on the ball and breathes a sigh of relief when it lands before Broad can make the ground required to take the catch. A potential maiden is ruined when Broad strays onto the pads to allow Rogers to flick a single to fine-leg.
Rogers opens the face of his bat to guide the ball past Root at third slip for four. Prior is surprised by some extra pace and bounce down the leg-side. A fumble allows Australia to sneak a couple of byes. Anderson settles on a better line outside off-stump but there's no false shot from Rogers. There's definitely some movement for the swingers.
Brilliant timing from Warner to score four through the covers off a back-foot punch. A straighter delivery allows the pacey Warner to run two more through square-leg. Broad would do well to remember that he troubled Warner with a much fuller length in the first innings. A single hands the strike to Rogers, who plays a picture-perfect straight drive to pick up four. Rogers 14* Warner 9*
Warner works the ball to fine-leg for a run at the start of the over. DECISION OVERTURNED! England are delighted when Rogers is given out caught behind off a beauty from Anderson. The Middlesex opener immediately reviews the decision and a replay shows that the noise was the ball hitting the thigh. Hill is once again proven wrong and DRS does it's job. A leg-bye allows Rogers to rotate the strike. Warner punishes a wider delivery from Anderson to collect four more with a cut shot.
Cook isn't happy with his Broad's inability to pitch the ball up, so he brings Bresnan into the attack. Rogers is immediately forced to play, and miss, outside off-stump. DROP! Rogers edges a good delivery to second slip, where Swann fails to take what would have been a brilliant diving catch. It's a missed opportunity but it was a very good effort by Swann. Bresnan causes problems in his first over. How? He bowled a fuller length. Take note, Stuart Broad.
Anderson pleads for an lbw decision from Hill. No raise of the finger, with replays suggesting the ball pitched outside leg-stump before striking Warner's pad. A leg-stump half-volley is whipped through mid-wicket for another Warner boundary. Anderson responds by coming round the wicket. Warner defends well, before accepting a gift of a delivery from his rival to cut the ball away for four. Australia cruising at the moment. Rogers 14* Warner 22*
Bresnan is showing his fellow seamers how to bowl on this pitch. A fuller ball nips away off the seam to beat the outside edge. That delivery sparks a response from the crowd, who are eager for England to make a breakthrough. Rogers gets out of the firing line but he's handed the strike once again when Warner hurries a single. Another open-faced shot from Rogers beats the slips to give Australia four more. The runs are flowing at the moment.
Warner is surprised by some extra bounce but still manages to pick up a run on the leg-side. Rogers looks perplexed by one than angles in before swinging away. Much better over from Anderson, who has just started to bowl a fuller length.
Bresnan ventures into Warner's comfort zone to give the left-handed opener the opportunity to punch the ball through the covers for four. A nudge off the pads brings a single. Australia now need 244 more runs to win. Rogers 19* Warner 29*
Warner moves to 30 from 33 balls with an easy single. Rogers plays a classic cover drive for four. Anderson is continuing to persist from round the wicket but he just doesn't look as threatening as usual. It looks like we're going to see Swann. Good move from Cook.
Warner is eager to use his feet, but his drive is well fielded by Cook at short cover. Shot! What a strike from Warner. The opener plays a lofted shot over cover for a huge six. That's brilliant. Australia clearly don't want Swann to settle. Warner adds a single to make it seven from the over.
Anderson's inconsistent spell comes to an end as Broad returns to the attack. It's a good return for England's hero from the first innings. Warner doesn't get the freedom he craves and is forced to see out a maiden over. Australia need 232 more runs to win.
Beautiful stroke from Rogers, who steers four runs past point. Swann finds a better line to force Rogers onto the front foot to block. A wider delivery is toe-ended through third-man, with Bairstow doing the chase to restrict the batsman to three. 14 runs from Swann's first two overs.
This is difficult to watch for England supporters. The frustration is clear in the field when Rogers cuts another boundary past Bairstow at point. A push through cover brings the same batsman two more. There's a bit of extra bounce outside off-stump for Broad but there's no shot offered by Rogers. Six from the over.
Much better over from Swann. After hanging a couple of deliveries outside off-stump, the spinner almost sneaks one onto the stumps with a quicker pace. Warner is equal to the challenge though and is keen to get bat on every ball. Will that get him into trouble? Maiden over. Time for drinks.
Australia have been very impressive. Warner and Rogers have batted positively. Cook has been given plenty to think about. He's attempting to rally the troops during the drinks break. Rogers 36* Warner 37*
Groans of despair from every man in an England short when Rogers swings and misses outside off-stump. Rogers ducks into a bouncer and gets off strike thanks to a leg-bye. A fuller delivery is driven through the covers by Warner for a couple. Just three from the over. England desperately need a breakthrough
Swann is left scratching his head when Rogers drives out of the rough for four. A nudge into the leg-side creates the opportunity for a quick single to be taken. Swann hits some nice areas when bowling to Warner but every delivery is met by the middle of the bat. Warner makes it nine from the over with a stunning drive for four more.
Bairstow can only half-stop the ball at backward point, meaning an easy single is available for Rogers. Broad, bowling from round the wicket, drops his length and is beautifully lofted over the slips for four by Warner. They'll always be a few play and misses when you approach an innings like Warner does. The batsman finally manages to miss one when he targets a wider one at the end of the over.
It's a steady over from Swann but there's nothing too worrying for Rogers. Good length, good line but no big turn or bounce. I don't think England expected this response from the tourists. Rogers 42* Warner 47*
There's a meeting between a few of the England players prior to the start of Broad's over. A change of tactic? Broad comes round the wicket to Warner, who finds a single. The bowler changes his angle to Rogers. The Middlesex batsman takes it all in his stride though as he blocks out the remainder of the over.
Swann appeals for lbw when Warner lunges forward. England consider using their final review but waste too much time and the umpires confirm the moment has passed. Hawkeye suggests that the decision would have stuck with the umpire. Another lbw appeal follows and Aleem Dar once again shakes his head. Much better over from Swann. Warner didn't look to comfortable there. It's a maiden.
Bresnan returns to the attack. He looked slightly more dangerous than Broad and Anderson earlier on. Rogers rocks back to pull a shorter ball over mid-wicket for three runs. That's the century partnership between these two. They've both approached the innings in the best possible way. Close! Warner is completely beaten by some extra bounce. Prior appeals for caught behind but there doesn't seem to be an edge involved. Warner flashes a smile.
Rogers is growing in confidence against Swann. If anything, England's spinner is probably a touch too short to the left-handed batsman. There doesn't seem to be much in it for Swann at the moment. Maiden over. Rogers 45* Warner 48*
Great fielding from Trott at cover to block Warner's powerful shot. Bresnan is pulling his length back due to the lack of movement on offer at the moment. That will only suit Warner, who stays on the back foot to smack four runs through the covers. Warner reaches his HALF-CENTURY with that shot too. There's a polite round of applause for a classy innings. Australia cruising at the moment.
Too short from Swann and Rogers cashes in by pulling the ball away for four.
WICKET! ROGERS (49) C TROTT B SWANN
Relief for England as they finally make a breakthrough. Swann delivers a classic off-spinner's ball to catch the edge and Trott does the rest at slip. Rogers falls one short of 50 but he's given his side a great platform to build on. Khawaja in next.
Khawja gets off the mark with a whip through the leg-side for two. Swann will back himself to trouble Khawaja. England need a big display from their spinner. 10 minutes left in the session.
There's no third-man in place, so Warner opens the face of the bat to guide the ball past the solitary slip for four. Bresnan isn't bowling the most attacking length to Warner. Maybe England will just target whoever is at the other end from here. Just the boundary from the over.
Swann starts a new over with a full-toss to gift Khawaja his first boundary down the ground. The latest left-handed Australian comes forward to defend before sitting back to keep out a quicker delivery. Solid technique. One over left in the session.
Warner pushes a single to the man at cover point at the start of the over. Khawaja is untroubled for the majority of the over but he is forced to play when Bresnan nips one away outside off-stump. Just one from the over.
TEA: What a fantastic session for Australia. The dismissal of Rogers may have taken the gloss off things but make no mistake about it, the tourists are in charge. Warner looks to have found some form and Khawaja should be confident about scoring runs this evening. Australia need 179 more runs to win this Test match.
England haven't been able to get the ball to do much and that could end up costing them. Who knows why it hasn't been swinging? Australia have taken full advantage and they're definitely favourites at the moment.
We're finally seeing what Warner can do with the bat. England fans will always remember him as the man who took a swing at Joe Root, but we've seen why he's so well thought of inside the Australian camp. Cook needs to send him on his way.
Did Cook go too conservative too early? Broad and Anderson both had a number of fielders in the deep early in this innings. That may have given Rogers, and Warner in particular, the opportunity to play themselves in. The run-rate is a concern but England are in desperate need of wickets at this stage.
England need a big performance in this final session of the day. They cannot afford another partnership to blossom. The hosts probably need three or four wickets to wrestle back some of the control. Warner 57* Khawaja 6*
Have England got some new ideas? Swann will begin the over with the ball in his hand.
Superb fielding from Root. England's opener chases Warner's cut shot and saves a run for his side. There's some sharp spin for Swann out of the foothole to leave Khawaja looking at the pitch with a confused facial expression. Good length in the over but no scary moments for Khawaja yet.
It's Anderson who is given the opportunity to redeem himself as he begins a new spell. The seamer settles on a very good line to Warner, who is disappointed with himself for not playing with a straight bat early in the over. Three runs picked up by Warner from the six balls.
The Australian fans cheer another boundary when Warner cuts a short ball through a big gap on the off-side for four. Swann fires in a quicker ball, clocked at 61mph, to force the left-handed opener back. Warner seems to be finding the middle every time though. 169 needed. Warner 67* Khawaja 6*
Khawaja guides a straight one through mid-wicket for two. A shorter delivery invites the pull shot, which Khawaja attempts without success. Anderson loses his length and Khawaja confidently steers the half-volley behind point for four.
A gap at mid-wicket allows Warner to nudge a slightly shorter ball away for a single. Khawaja looks confident getting forward to meet the spinner. A less than convincing swing at a shorter ball doesn't prove to be too dangerous, with a leg-bye being on offer via a deflection off the pad.
England need someone to breathe some life back into this game. It's all a bit easy for the tourists at the moment. Khawaja collects two runs to deep square-leg, before pulling Anderson away for four more. Anderson's form will be a concern for Cook and Flower. He hasn't really fired since the first Test at Trent Bridge. A thick edge beats Bell at gully and earns Khawaja three.
WICKET! KHAWAJA (21) LBW B SWANN
Is there a glimmer of light for England? Khawaja fails to come forward enough and he's struck on the front pad. It's an easy decision for Aleem Dar, who wastes no time in raising the finger. The only negative for England is that it's Michael Clarke's turn to have a bat. They must get him early.
Swann stays round the wicket for the right-handed Clarke. The spinner sends down a poor short ball to allow Clarke to get off the mark with a boundary on the leg-side. Don't bowl there to the Aussie captain. Four runs and a wicket from the over.
Australia are halfway towards their target, so there's plenty of work to do for England from here. Anderson bowls a more attacking line to Warner in the over. The opener misses a delivery down the leg-side, before getting off-strike thanks to a leg-bye. "No run," is the call from Clarke when he comes forward to play a textbook defensive shot. Warner 68* Clarke 4*
Warner leaves outside off-stump. He'll tell us he had that covered but I'm not sure he realised how straight that delivery was from Swann. Warner skips down the pitch to chip three runs over mid-wicket. Clarke adds another with a single to deep square-leg. This partnership will be key.
Poor from Anderson. Clarke is given a juicy half-volley to feast on outside off-stump and he hammers it to the rope at extra cover. Australia's skipper executes an even better drive to earn four more straight down the ground. Cook fails to stop an edge at slip and the ball trickles away for three. 11 from the over.
Swann is given a rest by Cook. I'm a little surprised to see Bresnan return to the attack. Clarke, who has had problems with Broad recently, gets off strike with a single.
WICKET! WARNER (71) C PRIOR B BRESNAN
I offer you my sincere apologies, Mr Bresnan. The returning seamer produces a gorgeous delivery to catch a thin edge and give England a crucial third wicket. Warner has played beautifully but he must depart. Is this the start of a fightback? Australia need 131 more runs.
Steve Smith is the new batsman. He'll be thinking that this is a good opportunity to score some precious runs for his side. Smith leaves the first ball, before getting forward to block a much straighter delivery. A wicket and a priceless wicket from Bresnan's over.
It's Broad's turn to return to the attack now. The seamer starts with a good yorker, which Clarke does well to keep out. Broad tests Clarke with some really good deliveries outside off-stump but the visiting captain survives, and sneaks a single from the final ball. England will be desperate to dismiss Clarke.
Bresnan is slightly too straight to Clarke and concedes a single. Smith is judging the line well around his off-stump. He leaves well before clipping a couple into the leg-side. It looks like there might be a hint of reverse swing in the air.
Broad fires in a short-ball to make life uncomfortable for Clarke, who gloves a single to fine-leg. This is a good start to the spell from Broad. The bowler is delivering a much fuller length. Smith is getting enough bat on ball to keep the dangerous deliveries out though. REVIEW! England waste their final review. There's a noise as the ball makes its way to Prior behind the stumps. Tony Hill immediately shakes his head. The replay shows the bat was nowhere near the ball and that the sound came off the hip. I don't think Cook is very happy with Prior or Broad for pushing for that review.
Clarke easily avoids a bouncer, before pulling a single to deep square-leg. Smith is more than happy to defend on the back foot. Bresnan needs to find a length to invite the drive but he can't get it right in his latest over. Just a single from the over. Time for a drinks break.
Australia need 125 more runs to win this Test match. England require seven wickets. The former looks more likely at the moment but a couple of quick wickets could change things. Clarke 21* Smith 2*
WICKET! CLARKE (21) B BROAD
What a beauty! Broad is sprinting around the field like a madman after producing a wonder delivery to knock back Clarke's off-stump. The Aussie skipper can't believe he's beaten. It's a massive moment in this Test match. Shane Watson comes to the crease to replace his captain.
The crowd are getting excited now. Broad is clearly fired up and he greets Watson with a delivery that drifts down the leg-side at 90mph. Broad then reaches 91mph with his next ball. That's what a wicket will do for a fast bowler. Watson gets off the mark when he clips an attempted yorker into the leg-side for one. Crucial over from Broad.
Watson is living dangerously by playing across his front pad, something he looked like he'd batted out of his system in the first innings. Bresnan is searching for reverse swing but he can't find the movement which could potentially bring another wicket. Maiden over.
WICKET! SMITH (2) B BROAD
Broad sends Smith on his way. The bowler fires in a good bouncer, which Smith attempts to pull. Unfortunately for the Australian batsman, he miscues his shot and deflects the ball onto his own stumps. Big celebrations from England. They're right back in this game.
Broad immediately goes full to Brad Haddin, the newest arrival to the crease. Three blocks from Haddin. It's a wicket maiden. Broad is on a roll. Australia still need 124 runs to win.
Watson clips the ball into the leg-side for a single. Haddin gets off the mark by steering three runs past point.
WICKET! WATSON (5) LBW B BRESNAN
What a spell of cricket from England. Watson becomes the latest fatality when he misses the ball after shuffling across his stumps. Aleem Dar is happy to give the batsman out lbw and, after a review is used, the umpire is proven right. Watson's technique comes back to haunt him again. Australia in disarray at the moment.
Peter Siddle is the new batsman. Can Australia's tail wag sufficiently enough to give the tourists their first win of the series? Haddin's role becomes a very important one, just like it was in the first Test match at Trent Bridge. Siddle keeps out Bresnan, for now.
Australia have lost their last four wickets for just 11 runs. They need to calm things down or they might not make it to the fifth day. Haddin collects a quick single to mid-on. Broad asks for a short-leg, so Bell sticks on the helmet. Siddle is able to defend a couple of shorter balls, before being shocked by a good bouncer. The ball cannons off the bat handle, but Tony Hill signals a leg-bye.
WICKET! HADDIN (4) LBW B BROAD
Haddin goes! Broad gets the lbw decision he so desperately wants from Tony Hill. Haddin immediately uses Australia's final review. You have to feel for the batsman, with Hawkeye suggesting the ball may have kissed one of the bails. England don't care and they get to celebrate once again. Harris is the new batsman and he manages to keep out his first ball.
Siddle earns a single to get off strike at the start of Bresnan's new over. Harris is keen to get forward but he must make sure he gets his bat in front of his pad. There's a couple of close calls in the over. Harris gets off the mark with a push through cover for three.
Broad cannot believe it when Harris manages to get the toe of his bat on a ball which seems to keep very low. A flick off the pad brings a couple of runs. Harris is no amateur with the bat. He seems to favour the leg-side, nudging the final ball of the over to mid-wicket for one.
Cook decides it's time for a change and he turns to Anderson, who is yet to take a wicket in the innings. Harris gets stuck on the crease early in the over but a couple of firm defensive shots may give him confidence. A clip through square-leg earns him a single. Anderson catches the edge, but the impact is enough to give Siddle three runs. Bairstow does brilliantly at third-man to prevent that ball from reaching the rope. Australia are 107 runs short of their target. Darren Lehmann is looking very stern on the balcony.
Broad follows a short ball with an attempted yorker. Siddle is struck on the pad but England abandon the lbw appeal when they realise the ball would have missed leg-stump. A shot through the covers brings three, before an inside edge from Harris races to the rope for four more.
WICKET! HARRIS (11) LBW B BROAD
England can smell victory now as the eighth Australian wicket falls. Full and straight from Broad. Harris misses, and it's an easy lbw decision for Tony Hill. What a spell this is from Broad. England need two wickets to win the series.
Seven overs left in the day but England can claim an extra 30 minutes if the umpires agree that they can win tonight. To be honest, they could win in the next few minutes. Nathan Lyon is the new batsman but he's off strike for now. Siddle needs to do something special from here. A shorter delivery is powerfully pulled to the rope for four. No other runs on offer for Siddle as Anderson keeps things tight late in the over. Lyon will have to face Broad.
Lyon is far from convincing when he keeps a fuller ball out at the start of the over. Ouch. Broad surprises Lyon with a very good bouncer to hit the arm, which is fortunately covered by a guard. DROP! An attempted leave goes completely wrong and Lyon offers a catch to second slip, where Swann fails to react to cling on. That's a difficult chance. Broad misses an even harder opportunity when Lyon drives the ball straight past the bowler's head. Australia still need 92.
Swann is on for a new spell. Siddle must attack the spinner. The batsman plays, and misses, when he attempts to cut one through the off-side. Siddle is eager to use his feet but Swann's variations makes it difficult for the shot to be played down the ground.
Broad begins the ninth over of his spell with a bouncer. The seamer probably shouldn't be bowling short at this stage. Especially if the light begins to deteriorate. Lyon flicks the ball off his hip to reach the rope at fine-leg. Aleem Dar has the light meter out but he decides play can continue.
WICKET! LYON (8) B BROAD
10 wickets in the match for Broad! The seamer delivers a quick full delivery to send Lyon's leg-stump cartwheeling out of the ground. That's how you bowl to tail-end batsmen. England need one more wicket to win the match and series.
Bird is the new batsman. The atmosphere is electric inside the ground as Broad beats the outside edge with one that just holds its line. Bird survives his first two balls. Broad gets a standing ovation for his 10-wicket haul in the match. He's been absolutely excellent in this spell.
Siddle leaves a couple early in the over. That prompts Swann to come back over the wicket. The batsman takes a big risk by shuffling across his crease, but the ball turns enough to evade leg-stump. Aleem Dar is taking another look at the light...
Dar comes over to Cook and tells him he must bowl spinners if play is to continue. Broad's fantastic spell comes to an end and it's Root who has the opportunity to take the wicket that will win the Ashes series.
Root begins from over the wicket but soon switches his angle. Bird is lunging forward to keep out the part-time spinner. Root is probably a touch too full to Australia's number 11. Bird blocks out a maiden over.
Siddle gets a thick inside edge on the ball and chooses to take a single from the first ball of the over, exposing Bird in the process. Bird has no interest in playing an attacking shot as he prods five balls forward to survive the over.
The scheduled overs have now been bowled but Cook immediately asks for the extra 30 minutes. Both umpires agree to grant the request, but the spinners must continue to bowl.
Siddle nudges Root into the leg-side for a single. CLOSE! I can't believe this one. Bird calls for a silly single and he's halfway down the pitch when Bairstow throws towards Prior, who fails to collect the ball. It's a poor throw but the wicketkeeping isn't much better. That should have been the moment England won the Ashes.
CLOSE! Swann finds Siddle's edge at the start of the over. Trott dives to his right at slip but he's got no chance of catching that one. Two runs are taken to third-man from the false shot and Siddle adds another with a push into the leg-side. Swann searches for Bird's outside edge but he can't find it yet.
Cook is desperate to bring Broad back into the attack but the umpires still don't think it's bright enough, despite the light improving in the last few minutes. Siddle certainly isn't a bad player of spin. Two half-centuries in India earlier this year tell us that much. Siddle uses his feet well to defend against Root. It's a maiden over. England have just over 15 minutes to find this wicket.
The sun is out again, meaning Cook is allowed to bring Anderson back into the attack. Bird drives the ball firmly to cover and a mistake allows him to get off the mark. Anderson is too wide to Siddle, who steers the ball past point for four. CLOSE! Siddle chips the ball into the air but Bresnan can't make up the ground to take the catch on the leg-side. Australia are surviving, just. Eight runs scored in the over.
Broad's return to the attack is greeted with warm applause. Siddle plays a couple of shots into the leg-side but he refuses to take a single.
ENGLAND WIN THE ASHES SERIES!
WICKET! SIDDLE (23) C ANDERSON B BROAD: Broad takes his 11th wicket of the match when Siddle lobs the ball to Anderson at mid-off. The match is won by 75 runs but even more importantly, England win the Ashes for the third series in a row.
This England side continues to be criticised and accused of not being as good as they might well think. Well, it may be harsh on Australia but it's the hosts who have won three out of the four matches in this series. Cook, Flower and the rest of the England team don't care how they do it. All that matters is that they've won the Ashes.
Now breathe! Where did that collapse come from? Australia were 109-0 at one stage and they were certainly favourites when the players headed off for tea. Bresnan removed Warner and that may well have been the key moment. However, it will be Broad who deservedly dominates the headlines tomorrow. He ends with figures of 6-50 in that second innings and very few England supporters will forger that performance anytime soon.
It's been a thrilling day of Test cricket. England put themselves in a good position this morning but Rogers and Warner made the hosts look like a beaten side at one point. Who knows what was said during the tea break? Whatever it was, the change of attitude certainly worked.
Australia have probably proved a few of their critics wrong in this series but, despite their improved displays, they have still managed to lose three out of four matches. They could have possibly won three of those games but ifs and buts will get you nowhere in this game.
Well, I've certainly enjoyed this Test and I hope you have too. Chester-le-Street has been a great venue over the past four days and it will forever be remembered as the place where England won the 2013 Investec Ashes series. It's also the venue where the England players are beginning to knock back a few alcoholic beverages.
Broad ends the match with figures of 11-141. I don't think it will be a close contest for the man of the match award. It's also important to remember Bell's century, while Bresnan took two crucial wickets (Warner & Watson) in the evening session.
It's time for me to say goodbye. England have won the Ashes once again and they've done it with one match left to play in the series. Clarke is left disconsolate, Cook will be jubilant. England will celebrate once again. Join me next Wednesday for the fifth and final Ashes Test of the summer at The Oval. Enjoy yourselves, England supporters. Goodnight.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
