utf8_encode(The Ashes: Australia completes serieswhitewash with fifth Test win at SCG)

The Ashes: Australia completes series whitewash with fifth Test win at SCG - ABC News (AustralianBroadcasting Corporation)EmailThe Ashes: Australia completes series whitewash with fifth Test win at SCGBy Cameron LeslieUpdatedJanuary 05, 2014 22:16:15

Video: Australia celebrates 5-0 clean sweep Ashes victory(7pm TV News NSW)Related Story:FifthAshes Test, day three: as it happenedAudio:Grandstand At Stumps: Fifth Ashes Test, Day Three(ABCGrandstand Sport)Audio:Fifth Ashes Test: Day Three Summary(ABC News)Audio:Fifth Ashes Test:Day Three Highlights(ABC News)Audio:Interview: Darren Lehmann(ABC News)Audio:Interview:Ryan Harris(ABC News)Audio:Interview: Mitchell Johnson(ABC News)Map:Sydney 2000Australian captain Michael Clarke heaped praise on his team after they completed an astonishingAshes series clean sweep at the SCG on Sunday.

Set an impossible 448 to win, it was always going to be a question of how long England would last.

It didn't take long for the question to be answered, with the visitors lasting just 31.4 overs beforecrumbling to be all out for 166, losing by 281 runs and ensuring England suffered the ignominy of a5-0 series whitewash.External Link:Day three: Australia wins fifth Ashes Test by 281 runs

It is a result that even the team's most ardent supporter could not have dreamed possible just twomonths ago.

Despite a 3-0 series loss in England midway through last year, a lot was hoped of this Australian side

but many even doubted it could reclaim the Ashes after three straight series defeats.

As it happened: Relive the day three action through our blog

It took just the first Test at the Gabba, however, to show this was a different Australian team and tobegin the disintegration of one of the world's best Test nations in England to second rate battlers.

Australia has rolled through the line-up changes through this current transition period, butamazingly it was the same 11 players that completed the five-Test rout of England.

Sometimes you have to feel rock bottom to make a few changes and have the courage as players tomake those changes.Michael Clarke

Audio:Interview: Michael Clarke(ABC News)

"I guess that's part of life, you go through ups and downs. 2013 was a great example of how thegame of cricket is one where you have to go through the tough times," Clarke told Grandstand.

"Sometimes you have to feel rock bottom to make a few changes and have the courage as players tomake those changes. I think the boys have done that.

"I think it's hard to pick out individual performances throughout this whole series.I think everyone inthis team has done an amazing job.

"They deserve all the accolades and certainly the results they've just received.

"We've just grabbed the momentum and run with it as long as we could. Hopefully we'll run with it abit longer yet."

England captain Alastair Cook admitted his side was not good enough to turn their form around onceAustralia got on top in the series.

We left everything out there, but at the end of the day we weren't good enough.Alastair Cook

"We left everything out there, but at the end of the day we weren't good enough," Cook said.

"Obviously we weren't good enough to turn it around. We tried to change the way we played.

"You've got to give a lot of credit to Michael and his team. Anything we did throw at them, theyresponded incredibly well."Audio:Interview: Alastair Cook(ABC News)

Cook was confident England could bounce back from the demoralising defeat.

"When you hit rock bottom, the only way is up," he said.

"It happened in 2006-07. We'll have a look at ourselves, where we want to go. I know we have ahuge amount of talent ... and a lot of courage in the dressing room that we'll need to come up now."

Earlier, Australia had pushed for quick runs and was eventually bowled out for 276.

Opener Chris Rogers (119) scored his third Test century and second for the series, while GeorgeBailey (46) may still not have done enough to book his seat to South Africa with the second highestscore of the innings.

For England, the rot started almost immediately with captain Alastair Cook falling with the score onjust seven.

At tea, England was staring down the battle at 3 for 87, but the beginning of the end started almostimmediately after the break as the visitors lost 4 for 8 to start the session.

England's find of the tour, Ben Stokes (32), and Stuart Broad (42) went down swinging but there waslittle they could do to halt the inevitable.

Ryan Harris was the pick of the Australian bowlers with 5 for 25, while Man of the Series MitchellJohnson claimed 3 for 40 and Nathan Lyon claimed 2 for 70.

Photo:JANUARY 05: Australia celebrate victory during day three of the Fifth Ashes Test matchbetween Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2014 in Sydney, Australia.(Getty: Mark Kolbe)

Photo:The Australian team celebrates with the urn after winning the fifth Ashes Test and sweepingthe series 5-0 during day three at the SCG on January 5, 2014. (Getty Images: Mark Kolbe)

Photo:The Australian team celebrates the final wicket to Ryan Harris to win the Ashes series 5-0during day three of the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG on January 5, 2014. (Getty Images: Matt King)

Photo:Michael Clarke of Australia celebrates after taking a catch to dismiss Scott Borthwick ofEngland off the bowling of Nathan Lyon of Australia during day three of the Fifth Ashes Test matchbetween Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2014 in Sydney,Australia.(Getty: Ryan Pierse)

Photo:George Bailey of Australia catches out Kevin Pietersen of England of a delivery by team mateRyan Harris during day three of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England atSydney Cricket Ground on January 5, 2014 in Sydney, Australia.(Getty: Cameron Spencer)

Photo:Mitchell Johnson of Australia appeals successfully for the wicket of Alastair Cook of Englandduring day three of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at the SCG onJanuary 5, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Getty Images: Mark Kolbe)

Photo:Australia's Brad Haddin (centre) reacts to losing his wicket to Scott Borthwick (left) ofEngland during the second innings on day three of the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG, January 5, 2014.(AAP: Paul Miller)

Photo:Australia's Mitchell Johnson is dismissed by Ben Stokes of England during day three of the

fifth Ashes Test at the SCG on January 5, 2014. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)

Photo:George Bailey of Australia looks dejected after being dismissed by Stuart Broad of Englandduring day three of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at the SCG onJanuary 5, 2014. (Getty Images: Ryan Pierse)

Photo:Chris Rogers of Australia celebrates as he leaves the ground at lunch on 114 not out duringday three of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at the SCG on January 5,2014. (Getty Images: Ryan Pierse)

Photo:Chris Rogers of Australia celebrates scoring a century during day three of the Fifth Ashes Testmatch between Australia and England at the SCG on January 5, 2014 in Sydney, Australia.(GettyImages: Cameron Spencer)

Photo:George Bailey of Australia bats during day three of the Fifth Ashes Test match betweenAustralia and England at the SCG on January 5, 2014 in Sydney, Australia.(Getty Images: GarethCopley)

Photo:Steven Smith of Australia presents a pink cap to former Australian cricketer Glenn McGrath

on Jane McGrath Day during day three of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and Englandat the SCG on January 5, 2014. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)

Photo:Australia's George Bailey hits a shot off the bowling of Boyd Rankin of England during thesecond innings on Day 2 of the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG. (AAP Images: Paul Miller)

Photo:Steven Smith of Australia walks off the field after being dismissed by Ben Stokes of Englandduring day two of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at Sydney CricketGround. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)

Photo:Chris Rogers of Australia celebrates after reaching his half century during day two of the FifthAshes Test match between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 4, 2014.(Getty Images: Mark Kolbe)

Photo:Australian captain Michael Clarke walks off the field after being dismissed by Stuart Broad ofEngland during day two of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at SydneyCricket Ground. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)

Photo:James Anderson of England celebrates dismissing David Warner of Australia during day two of

the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 4,2014 in Sydney, Australia.(Getty: Cameron Spencer)

Photo:Ryan Harris of Australia celebrates with his team mates after taking the wicket of ScottBorthwick of England during day two of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and Englandat Sydney Cricket Ground on January 4, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Getty: Mark Kolbe)

Photo:Ben Stokes of England is bowled by Peter Siddle of Australia during day two of the Fifth AshesTest match between Australia and England at the SCG on January 4, 2014. (Getty Images: GarethCopley)

Photo:Peter Siddle of Australia celebrates after taking the wicket of Jonny Bairstow of England

during day two of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at SCG on January 4,2014.(Getty Images: Ryan Pierse)

Photo:Brad Haddin of Australia celebrates after taking a catch to dismiss Gary Ballance of Englandoff the bowling of Nathan Lyon of Australia during day two of the Fifth Ashes Test match betweenAustralia and England at the SCG on January 4, 2014. (Getty Images: Ryan Pierse)

Photo:Richie Benaud impersonators in the crowd cheer during day two of the Fifth Ashes Test matchbetween Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 4, 2014 in Sydney, Australia.(Getty: Max Kolbe)

Photo:Gary Ballance of England bats during day two of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia

and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 4, 2014. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)

Photo:Peter Siddle of Australia celebrates dismissing Ian Bell of England during day two of the FifthAshes Test match between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 4, 2014 inSydney, Australia.(Getty Images: (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images))

Photo:Kevin Pietersen of England walks off the field after being dismissed by Ryan Harris ofAustralia during day two of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at SCG onJanuary 4, 2014. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)

Photo:James Anderson of England walks off the field after being dismissed by Mitchell Johnson ofAustralia during day two of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at the SCG onJanuary 4, 2014. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)

Photo:Australia's Ryan Harris celebrates after taking the wicket of Alastair Cook of England duringday two of the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG on January 4, 2014. (Getty Images: Ryan Pierse)

Photo:The Australian team leaves the field of play after day one of the fifth Ashes Test at the SCG onJanuary 3, 2014. (Getty Images: Brett Hemmings)

Photo:Mitchell Johnson of Australia celebrates with teammates dismissing Michael Carberry ofEngland during day one of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at SydneyCricket Ground on January 3, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Getty Images: Gareth Copley)

Photo:Ben Stokes of England leads his team from the field after taking six wickets during day one of

the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 3,2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Getty Images: Gareth Copley)

Photo:Ben Stokes of England raises the ball after claming his fifth wicket during day one of the FifthAshes Test match between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 3, 2014 inSydney, Australia. (Getty Images: Ryan Pierse)

Photo:Ben Stokes of England is congratulated by team mates after taking the wicket of Ryan Harrisof Australia during day one of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at SydneyCricket Ground on January 3, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)

Photo:Steven Smith of Australia celebrates scoring a century during day one of the Fifth Ashes Test

match between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 3, 2014 in Sydney,Australia. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)

Photo:Scott Borthwick of England celebrates with team mates after dismissing Mitchell Johnson ofAustralia during day one of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at SydneyCricket Ground on January 3, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)

Photo:Boyd Rankin of England looks dejected before leaving the field with an injury during day oneof the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January3, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Getty Images: Mark Kolbe)

Photo:Ben Stokes of England celebrates with team mate James Anderson after dismissing Brad

Haddin of Australia during day one of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England atSydney Cricket Ground on January 3, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)

Photo:Steve Smith of Australia celebrates after reaching his half century during day one of the FifthAshes Test match between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 3, 2014 inSydney, Australia. (Getty Images: Mark Kolbe)

Photo:Brad Haddin of Australia celebrates scoring fifty runs during day one of the Fifth Ashes Testmatch between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 3, 2014 in Sydney,Australia. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)

Photo:Brad Haddin of Australia bats during day one of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia

and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 3, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Getty Images: RyanPierse)

Photo:Boyd Rankin of England leaves the field after picking up an injury during day one of the FifthAshes Test match between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 3, 2014 inSydney, Australia. (Getty Images: Gareth Copley)

Photo:Australia's Brad Haddin avoids a bouncer bowled by Stuart Broad on Day 1 of the fifth AshesTest at the SCG in Sydney, Friday, Jan. 3, 2014. (AAP: Paul Miller)

Photo:Stuart Broad of England celebrates after taking the wicket of George Bailey of Australiaduring day one of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket

Ground on January 3, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Getty Images: Ryan Pierse)

Photo:Kevin Pietersen of England congratulates James Anderson of England after he took the wicketof Shane Watson of Australia during day one of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia andEngland at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 3, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Getty Images: MarkKolbe)

Photo:Ben Stokes of England is congratulated by team mates after dismissing Australian captainMichael Clarke during day one of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England atSydney Cricket Ground on January 3, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)

Photo:Ben Stokes of England celebrates dismissing Chris Rogers of Australia during day one of the

Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 3, 2014in Sydney, Australia. (Getty Images: Cameron Spencer)

Photo:Shane Watson of Australia avoids a bouncer from Boyd Rankin of England during day one ofthe Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 3,2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Getty Images: Ryan Pierse)

Photo:David Warner of Australia is bowled by Stuart Broad of England during day one of the FifthAshes Test match between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground on January 3, 2014 inSydney, Australia. (Gety Images: Ryan Pierse)

Photo:(L to R) Gary Ballance, Scott Borthwick and Boyd Rankin of England walk out ahead of day

one of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground onJanuary 3, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Getty Images: Gareth Copley)

Photo:Australia captain Michael Clarke tosses the coin alongside England captain Alastair Cookahead day one of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at Sydney CricketGround on January 3, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Getty Images: Gareth Copley)

Photo:England captain Alastair Cook hands Gary Ballance of England his first test cap ahead of dayone of the Fifth Ashes Test match between Australia and England at Sydney Cricket Ground onJanuary 3, 2014 in Sydney, Australia. (Getty Images: Gareth Copley)

Photo:ABC Radio cricket commentator, Jim Maxwell, cuts a cake commemorating 40 years calling

the cricket, at the SCG before the fifth Ashes Test, January 3, 2014. (702 ABC Sydney: JohnDonegan)Gallery:Fifth Ashes Test at the SCG

Topics: ashes, cricket, sport, sydney-2000, nsw, australia

First postedJanuary 05, 2014 17:40:11

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