Perth: The end came quickly for England in Perth this morning as Australia wrapped up a crushing 267-run win to level the series at 1-1 and turn the Ashes into a two-Test shootout at Melbourne and Sydney.
Led by Michael Clarke after it was confirmed that Ricky Ponting had suffered a hairline fracture of his left little finger while parrying a slip catch on Saturday evening, the Australians needed only 48 minutes to square the series after England resumed on the fourth morning on 81 for 5.
Ryan Harris finished with a career-best 6 for 47 as England capitulated to 123, but it was Mitchell Johnson's game-turning spell on the second day that had brought the tourists to their knees.
England still only need to win one of the remaining two Tests to retain the urn, and it is inconceivable that either the MCG or the SCG will produce a pitch as bouncy – and discomfiting for the tourists – as the WACA.
But they have been well and truly blown away here in scenes reminiscent of their thrashing in Johannesburg in January – the last time England were dismissed twice for under 200 in a Test – and their defeat at Headingley to Australia in 2009.
Ryan rampant: Australia's bowling hero Harris celebrates the wicket of Ian Bell
Andrew Strauss will remind his team that they came back to win the next game at The Brit Oval – and with it the Ashes – but for the time being they will have to take their Perth medicine. Because this was a thumping to rank with any during the dark years between 1989 and 2003.
First to go in the procession was nightwatchman Jimmy Anderson, who played down the wrong line in the fourth over of the morning and lost his off-stump to Harris to depart for three.
Timber! James Anderson is bowled by Ryan Harris, the first wicket to fall on day four
Ian Bell looked in sublime nick, as he has done throughout the series, but after easing his way to 16 he played all round a full ball from Harris, and had to be persuaded to review the decision by Matt Prior.
The technology had the ball hitting halfway up middle stump. Prior followed in the same over, for 10, defending a ball of extra bounce from Harris that flew towards gully, where Mike Hussey made good ground to his right before holding on to a smart tumbling catch.
Much to ponder: Ian Bell walks off after his dismissal lbw to Harris for just 16
From 114 for 8, it was merely a matter of time. Johnson chipped in to bowl Graeme Swann for 9 off an inside edge, before Harris completed victory inside 10 sessions when Steven Finn poked to third slip.
While Australia rejoice, England know they have six days to regroup before Melbourne. We are in for quite a finale.
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