Stuart Broad shoulders the credit for England's victory in fourth Ashes Test

The bowler took six for 50 as he and Tim Bresnan did all of the late damage as Australia were bowled out for 224 to seal a 74-run win.

Stuart Broad, left, celebrates taking the wicket of Brad Haddin on his way to finish with figures of 11 for 121 during the fourth Ashes Test at Chester-le-Street. Nigel Roddis / Reuters

CHESTER-LE-STREET // England secured a third consecutive Ashes series win for the first time in 32 years following a stunning Australia collapse late on Day 4 of the fourth Test at Durham.

Australia lost nine wickets in an elongated final session, after initially seemingly well-placed in their pursuit of 299, before Stuart Broad (six for 50 runs) removed last man Peter Siddle in descending gloom at 7.41pm local time (10.41pm UAE).

Broad, who completed a second 10-wicket haul of his career, along with Tim Bresnan, did all of the late damage as Australia were bowled out for 224 to seal a 74-run win.

It meant England moved into an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-Test series.

Bresnan triggered the collapse when he found extra bounce to catch the edge of danger man David Warner (71), who had combined in the first century opening stand of the series - by either side - with Chris Rogers (49).

Australia, who were 120 for one at tea, were still seemingly favourites when Warner was third man out with 131 required.

But when Broad bowled captain Michael Clarke with a peach of a delivery with the first ball after the final drinks break, Australia began their slump towards defeat.

In a mad half-hour, Bresnan and Broad dismissed Clarke, Steven Smith, Shane Watson and Brad Haddin to expose the tail.

Australia's bowlers held on long enough to take the game into an extra half-hour, and at one time force England to bowl their spinners as the light faded, before Broad returned to have Siddle caught by James Anderson at mid-off.

"It was amazing really - an interesting day's cricket," said man-of-the-match Broad, who finished with figures of 11 for 121 runs after taking five for 71 in Australia's first innings.

"Bressie's [Tim Bresnan] runs were vital, but Australia were brilliant in the middle spell and we had to regroup at tea. There were lots of conversations about how we could get Australia on the front foot and move the ball sidewards.

"We executed it - and then just prayed for some sunshine.

"I found a nice rhythm at the top end and I wanted to be really aggressive. We lacked intensity in the middle period and Cookie [captain Alastair Cook] threw me the ball and said 'spice it up a bit'. I got a good partnership going with Tim Bresnan, we tried to hit the deck as hard as we could and we managed to do it.

"I was glad I could contribute. The wicket suited my style of bowling and I found slightly fuller length. We had to regroup today and to get nine wickets in that period after tea was a special effort."

Cook added: "At tea, we still had a lot of runs to get. I didn't expect us to be stood here at 8pm having won the Ashes.

"Stuart Broad was incredible - he bowled some jaffas out there. Before tea, we didn't get it right, but we regrouped and Broady led that from the front. When he clicks, he's got everything - pace, movement and control. When those three click, it is hard to face."

Earlier, England lost their final five wickets in the opening 90 minutes, but more critically, added 96 runs in 21.1 overs.

Ryan Harris's Test-best figures of seven for 113 put the clamps on an England tail that was in a hurry this morning.

Nightwatchman Bresnan (45) led the heavy hitting after Harris removed overnight centurion Ian Bell (113) and Matt Prior from successive balls with the lead at 219.

But Bresnan, with the help of Graeme Swann (30 not out), went on the attack before England were bowled out for 330.

Australia captain Clarke, with the exception of openers Rogers and Warner, once again laid the blame for defeat at the feet of his batsmen.

"We got outplayed, Stuart Broad bowled a couple of outstanding spells and as soon as we lost Chris Rogers we found it difficult," he said. "We've got to play better than that - Chris and Davey played exceptionally well but we couldn't get over the line.

"Obviously, we want to perform better than we have done. We need some time to let this sink in.

"Our bowlers have done a fantastic job throughout this series, Ryan Harris was outstanding and I feel really disappointed that I've let him down."

Follow us