Live Blogs / Ed Hawkins / 06 December 2010 /

Ed Hawkins described the final throes of action as England thrashed Australia in Adelaide. Email him here and follow him on Twitter here

01.05 England win by an innings and 71 runs
England are [1.52] to win the series. They are [10.50] to win 4-0, [7.00] to win 3-0 or [8.20] to win 3-1.

01.03 England win by an innings and 71 runs
Well done England. But most of all, well done us. That has been a challenging Test to wager on. Remaining rational throughout has been the key. When all around others were losing their heads about the flat nature of the wicket and the apocalyptic weather reports, we kept ours. That is absolutely key to betting. Twice, at [2.00] and [1.78] we recognised England were big value. There were a couple of other nice trades over the five days, too.
Overall, a hugely satisfying Test. And make no mistake that is not a sentence written by a patriot. There's no room for any of that in betting, either. However, even if you are looking through red and white tinted spectacles it will be difficult not to make money by backing 'the boys' in this series.
Australia are dreadful, dreadful, dreadful. They are in total disarray and by the time of the third Test in Perth they may have made up to three changes (North and Doherty could be dropped while Katich is injured).
They cannot possibly win this series. But then again, we did say that at Brisbane so it is hardly news. England should start the third game as favourites. That has not happened since 1987. Something else that has not happened since then is an England side winning Down Under. Not long to wait now on either score.

01.00 England win by an innings and 71 runs
So that was a pretty convincing margin then. The last time Australia lost at home by an innings was in 1993 against West Indies at Perth. It is their second heaviest defeat at Adelaide. Fitting that Swann claimed the last to get a five-fer. England totally dominant. Australia, well, they know where to go. Take your pick from one of the 749 churches in town.

WICKET 00.57 Aus 304
P Siddle b Swann 6

00.53 Aus 300-9
Just waiting for the inevitable now. Graeme Swann has taken four wickets in this innings to take his series tally to eight, one behind leading wicket-taker Steven Finn. Doug Bollinger and Peter Siddle are keeping us from bed. Come on chaps, the land of slumber is calling.

00.41 Aus 295-9
X Doherty b Swann 5

00.40 Aus 291-8, trail by 84 runs
It doesn't take much for the draw price to come down. At [50.00] to lay a few minutes ago, it is now available to lay at [27.00] There's profit in that.

00.30 Aus 286-8
North was Australia's last hope and he has headed south. On referral, he was adjudged lbw. It may be the last time he plays for Australia, which is sad for him. Still, he has helped put us on our way to a couple of nice winners on England here. Is that tempting fate? Well, they''re [1.01]. Here comes Anderson's hat-trick ball.

WICKET 00.28 Aus 286-8
M North lbw b Swann 22

00.26 Aus 286-7
I'm getting a lot right tonight eh! Wowzer. Anderson on a hat-trick at the start of his next over. Harris was still bemused by the piece of wood in his hand that some one had thrust into his palm before walking out so decided he didn't want to damage it.

WICKET 00.23 Aus 286-7
R Harris lbw b Anderson 0

00.22 Aus 286-6
Well, that was right on cue. England into [1.18] now. The guy coming to the wicket now - Ryan Harris - is eyeing the willow like a strange artefact from a distant era.

WICKET 00.19 Aus 286-6
B Haddin c Prior b Anderson 12

00.18 Aus 286-6
By the way folks, with this being Australia's last pair who can actually recognise a bat, I'd advise not getting to heavy on the trading sides of things as far as the draw goes. It could be difficult to rescue positions.

00.02 Aus 276-5, trail by 99
England are [3.00] to have the Test wrapped up in this extended session. The afternoon session is [2.28] and the evening session is [2.14]. You could lay the latter at around [2.50].

23.55 Aus 265-5
Good work from Finn. England repeated the tactic against Hussey in Brisbane. Short ball. Too close to pull but the left-hander goes for it anyway and he offers a simple chance to Anderson. England into [1.40. One wicket now and England are in the tail. Fingers crossed, I think we could all do with an early night.

WICKET 23.52 Aus 261-5
M Hussey c Anderson b Finn 52

23.45 Aus 253-4
England have taken the new ball. They should pair James Anderson and Steven Finn. There will not be much opportunity for the two pacemen to get the ball to nibble around so they may as well make the most of it. Graeme Swann can have another go in five or six overs. Of course there is no Stuart Broad. That is a blow for England not only today but for the rest of the tour. He'll be on a plane home soon nursing a stomach muscle injury.

23.41 Aus 248-4
England have lost a referral. Swann thought he'd hit Marcus North pretty adjacent and he wasn't far off. Only just outside the line. As ever, there are plenty of nice little sub-plots to the action. It is widely believed that North needs a score here to save his Test career so it was a reprieve in every sense. Mike Hussey goes to 50. How do you get him out? Answers on a postcard to: Andrew Strauss, c/o ECB

23.34 Aus 239-4
Here are the prices then: England [1.65] and the draw [2.52]. A big gamble on England 'overnight'. The main reason must be that people have turned on their televisions expecting to see conditions ideal for surf, body or water boarding and been taken surprise. We've slagged off the weathermen consistently this week and it looks as though we were right. The forecast has to be very bad indeed for us to take any notice. Remember that mantra. Vindicated.

23.30 Aus 239-4, trail by 136
In position. Big day this. If England fail to win it will feel like a defeat. Likewise Australia will feel like they've won. It would be difficult for England to stomach if they go to Perth - whetre they have a dreadful record, by the way - at 0-0. Stand by for a poitentially thrilling day.

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