Live Blogs / Ed Hawkins / 28 December 2010 /

Ed Hawkins is in front of the television for the fourth day of action at the MCG as England are on the verge of retaining the Ashes. Follow him on Twitter here

01.07 England win by an innings and 157 runs and retain the Ashes
I banged on about this earlier but I'm going to do it again. England have retained the Ashes. They have not won the series. Big difference. Sky don't seem that bothered. Michael Atherton gushed 'we're all proud of you' to Graeme Swann. David Gower sounds as though he wants to lead a five-day bender. I'll be proud of England if they avoid defeat in Sydney because I've backed them to win the series. Just like thousands of fellow bettors. That won't bother the players, of course. Sure, they can enjoy this moment but they would do well to remember that at this point, still no England side has WON in Australia since 1986-87. Night.

01.01 England win by an innings and 157 runs and retain the Ashes
Bit bored of going on about how bad Australia are. So earlier, with this defeat almost assured, I posted a blog about what they can do to try to turn things around in Sydney. It is here. England, meanwhile, are likely to keep faith with Tim Bresnan meaning Steve Finn will have to sit out the final Test.

00.56 England win by an innings and 157 runs and retain the Ashes

WICKET 00.53 Aus 258-9
B Hilfenhaus c Prior b Bresnan 0

00.52 Aus 258-8
An important wicket for Swann that. Just about keeps him in touch for top England series bowler honours. James Anderson is leading with 17. Swann and Chris Tremlett have 13 apiece.

WICKET 00.47 Aus 258-8
P Siddle c Pietersen b Swann 40

00.44 Aus 257-7
My betting.betfair colleague James Eastham has said PhilDeFreitas is his fave Ashes hero from 1986-87. Eastham has got lucky there because Daffy is the only cricketer he knows and sure as hell he didn't know that he was part of that famous touring side.

00.40 Aus 248-7
Who was your 1986-87 Ashes hero? Bill Athey for me. I thought he was so great that it annoyed me Chris Broad got all the runs.

00.37 Aus 239-7
I've just remembered that yesterday we recommended laying Australia for 350 or more in this innings. The nerves are not jangling yet but it would be very nice if this new ball was to work immediately. James Anderson has it and there appears to be early bend.

00.28 Aus 235-7
Peter Siddle has 25. if you reckon he'll get another 25, there is thiry quid available to back him for a 50. I'm just writing that sentence so we get a betting mention in here.

00.25 Aus 234-7
14 from that Graeme Swann over as Australia go down with pop guns blazing. The second new ball is due in over so hopefully that will mean we'll get this wrapped up before lunch. It would be annoying if we have to sit through more Sky waffle for 40 minutes.

00.17 Aus 218-7
The next Australia captain debate continues. "But Clarke is getting on," says Neil Monnery. "Don't like a wickie doing it. So that leaves Mr Cricket but he has never seemed to want it." Richard Higginbotham wades in. "Clarke not worthy, Haddin getting on a bit. Hussey short-term my choice." Eddie Rivers says: "My money will be on Hussey as a stop gap captain, if not Haddin!"

00.13 Aus 214-7
A good response to the 'who should be next Australia captain?' question. Neil Monnery reckons Shane Watson is the man. James Long and Jack Jacob Miller say Michael Clarke is a shoo-in. Paul King says Rolf Harris while Ball1001 says Alf Stewart is a 'man for a crisis'.

00.05 Aus 202-7
Much debate about whether Ricky Ponting should continue as Australia captain. The question they will have to answer is: do they have anyone better? Michael Clarke was always supposed to be the next cab off the rank but his form has stalled. Suggestions will be gratefully received.

23.53 Aus 185-7
One of the great things about England beating up Australia - if you'll allow me to remove my impartial hat for a mo - is the myth that Down Under they breed more competitive sportsmen has been debunked. With Australia's dominance, Englishmen had to put up with Aussies whining on about how it was down to culture and character. Not true. It's about the cycle of talent. Australia, incredibly, had two of the greatest bowlers in the side at the same time. That was the reason for superiority. It had nothing to do with Vegemite, sledging in youth cricket or a better climate. In this series, England have been superior because they have better players. Already we are hearing some nonsense about county cricket being a tougher competition than Sheffield Shield.

23.45 Aus 174-7
When England win this Test, we will have claimed our first outright winning wager of the series. It was a lay of Australia at [2.50] on November 30. Remember?

23.40 Aus 172-7
Ryan Harris will definitely not bat today. He's having an operation. That's a pretty good excuse. Peter Siddle is the new batsman.

WICKET 23.37 Aus 172-7
M Johnson b Tremlett 6

23.31 Aus 169-6
Bit frustrated by Sky's coverage this evening. 'England on the verge of glory'. They're not. They're on the verge of retaining the urn. The big one will be in Sydney when they have to win to become the first England side to win Down Under since 1986-87. If they are beaten at the SCG, bearing mind how poor this Australia side are, then it will be a major disappointment.

23.26 Aus 169-6, trail by 246
It's just a matter of time for England. With a probable three wickets to take (Ryan Harris is unlikely to bat) they should retain the Ashes sometime in the next few hours. We'll be here until then. Betting options may be scant but we'll endeavour to work out where both sides go from here with the Sydney Test starting on Sunday night.

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