The fourth day of the fourth test of the Ashes began with England 202 runs ahead at 234-5 with Ian Bell on 105 and joined by Tim Bresnan. England moved on to 250 before the new ball was taken and Ryan Harris found some late sharp movement to destroy Bell's middle stump for 113, and then took Matt Prior's off stump first ball to complete a well earn five wicket haul. This triggered Bresnan and Broad to start going for quick runs as boundaries were crunched through mid on and square leg and edged over third man before Harris found some bounce which Broad could only fend on the jump to gully for a seven ball 13, 275-8.
Jackson Bird then flew off the bat of Bresnan with three fours in the over as 14 came off it to push the lead past 250 and towards something England could feel happy defending. Graeme Swann decided on the same plan and smacked a couple of fours off Siddle to bring up the 300 before Bresnan chipped a catch back to Harris to go for 45, 317-9. Steve Smith dropped a skier at long on, but it only cost 13 runs (3 fours by Swann) before Anderson edged behind off Lyon for a duck, England 330 all out leaving Australia 5 sessions to score 299. Harris the pick of the bowlers with 7-117.
Australia managed 11 in 5 overs (Cook blowing a review for an LBW pitching outside leg) before a sudden downpour brought an early lunch. Australia started well after lunch, as England looked a bit clueless as to what they were supposed to be doing as Rogers and Warner feasted on some off line bowling. Even when Rogers was caught behind the DRS actually worked and he was given not out (+1 for hotspot). Australia pushed the rate up to around 4 an over as they looked to get the job done in a hurry as every time England got a couple of dot balls, they'd push one down off or leg and it would be helped away for four. Their intent became even clearer when Swann's third ball to Warner was launched inside out over extra cover for a huge six. The 100 partnership came up in the 27th over and soon Warner passed 50 from 74 balls, but England then got a wicket as Rogers was squared up by Swann and the edge flew to Trott at slip to go for 49, 109-1. Australia made it to tea 120-1.
Post tea, Australia cruised to 147 when Khawaja misread the line against Swann and was given LBW for 21, but Clarke and Warner carried on, until Warner nicked behind off Bresnan for 74, 168-3. England then blew their second review with Broad trying to shift Smith, but no more wickets until drinks. First ball after drinks, Broad gets some seam movement to detonate Clarke's off stump for 21, England back on top with what followed being an extraordinary spell from both Broad and Bresnan. Steve Smith (2) hooked one off the bottom edge onto his stumps to Broad, Watson (2) is struck in front of middle stump, given LBW, reviews, umpire's call, out next over. Then next over Haddin (4) is LBW to Broad, reviews, clipping the top of the leg bail, out! Ryan Harris was next to out, also LBW to Broad for 11 and Nathan Lyon who was dropped one, then inside edge an inswinger into his stumps for Broad to get his 2nd five-for and complete 10 in the match.
One wicket left, but the light was getting bad, so on came Swann and Joe Root for five overs as England took the extra half hour, then the sun peeked through, just long enough for Broad to get Siddle to swing the ball straight to mid off where Anderson completed the catch to give a 74 run win and take the series. Broad was awarded man of the match for his 11-121 in the match.
