England claimed their huge victory before lunch on the fourth morning when Tim Bresnan had Ben Hilfenhaus caught behind for a duck and incapacitated Ryan Harris was unable to bat because of an ankle injury.[break]
There was only going to be one result after Australia were routed for a ground record low of 98 on Sunday´s opening day after Andrew Strauss won the toss and put the Australians into bat on a bowler-friendly wicket.
The English responded with a towering 513 to hold an impregnable 415-run innings lead which Australia found totally beyond them.
It was the first time England had won the Ashes Down Under since Mike Gatting´s team claimed the series 2-1 in 1986-1987.
Australia can still level the series if they can fight back and win next week´s fifth Sydney Test, but the Ashes are gone.
England last won at the MCG in 1998 with Dean Headley taking 6-60 in the second innings as the tourists won by just 12 nail-biting runs and it was only Australia´s second defeat in their last 12 MCG Tests.
Overall it was England´s 20th win in 54 Ashes Tests at the MCG.
Match scores: Australia 98 and 258 for 9; England 513.
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