England ramped home their dominance in the 2010-2011 Ashes series in Australia with a comprehensive win in Sydney by an innings and 83 runs to seal a 3-1 triumph.
The result brought an end to 24 years of pain for the English in Australia.
It also piles the pain on the Australians, who for the first time ever lost three matches in a series by an innings and more.
England firmly dominated the series, despite their hiccup in Perth and challenges in Brisbane, were deserved victors.
The SCG Test revealed England’s dominance for everyone to see, after a strong bowling performance removed Australia for 280 (which could have been less than 200 had it not been for the tail wagging).
England’s batsmen then went on another display of focus, concentration, class and quality, mounting an unassailable total of 644, their greatest ever on Australian soil.
It was remarkable to think they were 5-226 but centuries from Ian Bell and Matt Prior did the trick, after Alistair Cook built the innings with yet another fine score of 189.
England then removed Australia again for 281, with plenty of the Aussie batsmen getting starts before being frustratingly dismissed.
Jimmy Anderson picked up seven wickets for the match, while Tim Bresnan contributed five but it was Chris Tremlett who got the decisive wicket when he bowled Michael Beer to begin the celebrations for England.
England skipper Andrew Strauss praised his bowlers after the victory.
“After the last Ashes out here I thought the best way was to strangle the opposition and fortunately we had very accurate bowlers turn up,” Strauss said.
“For the bowlers to be able to bowl day-in day-out was an exceptional effort. We have good depth and we’ll need it because the schedule is very tough.”
Australia’s stand-in skipper Michael Clarke admitted his team had been outplayed by the England attack.
“They’ve shown us discipline and execution with the ball to be able to bowl in one area for a long period of time and make our batters play a false shot,” he said.
“Their bowlers have executed their plans outstandingly to all of our batters.”
Clarke added: “This is as close to rock bottom as it gets. I think England have outplayed us in all facets of the game this series.
“They’ve showed us discipline and execution with the ball … and I think with the bat they’ve shown us how to go on and make big scores when you get a start.”
Clarke continued: “I think we need a lot of improvement in our game in all aspects of our game. But I do believe we’ve got the talent and the potential in that changeroom to do it.”
Strauss added: “We came over here desperately wanting to win the series and obviously in Melbourne we retained the Ashes but we really wanted to finish with a bang here in Sydney. Full credit to the guys, they’ve been outstanding again.”
And Man of the Series Cook, who scored an incredible 766 runs in the Ashes, said England will get better.
“We’ve had an amazing two months but we’ve already said that we still want to improve,” he said.
“(Coach) Andy Flower won’t ever let us have an easy time. He’ll demand that we get better.
“That will only hold us in good stead. If I can achieve what I just have again it would be amazing, but I honestly can’t believe what I, and the team, have just done. We’ll enjoy it and worry about tomorrow then.”