England wrap up historic Ashes series triumph

Captain Andrew Strauss’s team dealt an innings and 83 runs defeat on the hosts in the fifth and final Test of the Ashes series in Sydney, to wrap up a 3-1 triumph.

The tourists’ first series win Down Under since 1987 prompted scenes of joy among the players and the 10,000 Barmy Army supporters, who took to the streets of the city to celebrate.

England had put the home side in a virtually untenable position after achieving their highest-ever team total in Australia with a first innings score of 644 all out.

Bowler Chris Tremlett took the final Australian wicket of Michael Beer after the first couple of hours, sending the players into a joyous huddle and the spectators into delirium.

It was the third innings defeat England had inflicted on the Aussies in the series – another first in a single series away from home.

“I want to thank everyone, it’s been a great trip.” Opener Alastair Cook

Opener Alastair Cook has been the brightest star of the series, with his tally of 766 runs the second highest by an England batsman in any Ashes series, behind only Walter Hammond’s 905 in Australia in 1928/29.

He also set a new world record for a five-Test series by spending 2,171 minutes at the crease and, during the first innings of the final Test, became the second youngest player to reach a career total of 5,000 runs.

Cook, 26, was voted Man of the Match and Man of the Series.

“It’s amazing,” he said.

“To be there when Chris Tremlett took the final wicket will live long in the memory. I want to thank everyone, it’s been a great trip.

“I’ve put in a lot of hard work and have got more experience and got a little bit better. I couldn’t imagine how these seven weeks would go.

“My best innings was the 200 at Brisbane. I’d never got a first class 200 or a Test 200 and to win Man of the Match in the final game of the Ashes is a dream come true.

“Our bowlers have been fantastic and have put some real pressure on the Australian batsmen.”

“We are certainly going to enjoy this evening, that’s for sure.” Captain Andrew Strauss

“I’m a softie really. There were times when I had goose bumps,” he conceded.

Strauss, who retained the trophy he won in England in 2009, said: “We came over here desperately wanting to win this series.

“We really wanted to finish with a bang here in Sydney, so all credit to the guys – they have been outstanding again.”

He added: “We are certainly going to enjoy this evening, that’s for sure.”

He added: “It feels pretty special. Now we have done it, I think we can give a big sigh of relief and be very proud of what we have achieved, because not many sides have come out here and won – and certainly not many as emphatically as we did in the end.

“It’s a dressing room full of pride – with a bit of alcohol, I would have thought.

“I think we were as confident as I’ve ever seen an England team. That’s a great testament to what happened earlier in the series.”

It was also a special series for Paul Collingwood, who announced that he would be retiring at the end of this, his 68th Test.

“I’m a softie really. There were times when I had goose bumps,” he conceded.

“I can’t think of a better way to bow out of Test cricket.” Paul Collingwood

“I always said I wanted to bow out in England in front of English fans and it felt like home here.

“The atmosphere out there was special. The lads standing in the slips were all looking at our arms and we had goose bumps going up them.

“It is a sad moment in many ways but I honestly think it is the right time. This is why I’ve been playing cricket – to be in a position like this against Australia in Australia.

“I can’t think of a better way to bow out of Test cricket. There are some great guys in that dressing room and this feels very special.

“To bow out in front of so many English fans, having won the Ashes in Australia, it couldn’t get any better.”

The Prime Minister led the tributes to the victorious England team.

David Cameron said the whole country was "incredibly proud" of them.

"I've spoken to Andrew Strauss this morning and congratulated the team, coaches and everyone behind the side on this tremendous victory," he added.

"Retaining the Ashes was a fantastic achievement, but winning the series really is the icing on the cake.

"We've seen some great sporting moments over the series and the team have provided us with some brilliant memories that I'm sure fans will talk about for years to come."

The beaten Aussie captain Michael Clarke, who took over before the match from injured Ricky Ponting, said: “It’s been a tough couple of months. We have been outplayed in all facets of the game.

“All the boys are disappointed, we wanted to do better – I remember this feeling from 2005 in England and it hurts even more in your own country. You’ve got to feel this pain, but it will make us stronger. “

He added: “We are going to go back to the drawing board and work our backsides off.”

England will remain in Australia for several more weeks for a series of T20 and one-day games, but Clarke announced his retirement from the form.

“We must look back in this with pride and satisfaction but there will be a moment to draw a line and move on.” England team director Andy Flower

England team director Andy Flower told his players to enjoy their Ashes heroics today but reminded them that there is plenty more hard work around the corner.

“This is an emotional moment for everyone in the changing room,” he said.

“A lot of hard work, effort, heartache and some sweat and tears go into winning any game of cricket. Over a five-match series it takes even more effort and no mean amount of skill and I think the guys are very proud of all those things.

“We’ve got to enjoy it now and share in the experience. We share the hardships along the way and we have to share good moments too.

“We must look back in this with pride and satisfaction but there will be a moment to draw a line and move on.”

Reflecting on the next challenge, Flower continued: “We have to try get balance right between letting them take a break – mental, physical and emotional – but there’s not much opportunity as we play the Prime Minister’s XI in 3 days’ time.

“These guys deserve and need a break; a couple of individuals will get it and the rest will have to balance a bit of rest followed by the limited-overs stuff.”

Paul Burnham, founder of the Barmy Army travelling support, said the party would probably go on for 72 hours.

He said: “It’s going to be massive.

“There is the Barmy Army, and all the expats living here.

“We are heading into the weekend, so I am sure this will go on for two or three days.

“The win is a massive thing to achieve – the way it was done, and it’s been 24 years since the last.”