England surrender Ashes

Andrew Flintoff contemplates losing the Ashes after his tame dismissal © Getty Images

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Australia regained the Ashes after sweeping to victory in the third Test against England in Perth.

The hosts needed just two balls after lunch to bowl England out for 350 and wrap up a 206-run win that gives them an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

England resumed on 265 for five, knowing they must survive the last three sessions to secure a draw that would keep the series alive.

Andrew Flintoff even aroused hopes that they could overhaul an improbable victory target of 557 as he blazed a rapid half-century, but his was the first of four wickets to fall in seven overs before lunch to leave England on the brink of defeat.

England lost Flintoff, Geraint Jones, Sajid Mahmood and Steve Harmison for the addition of just 10 runs, and the inevitable was confirmed shortly after the resumption when Shane Warne bowled Monty Panesar.

Warne, predictably, was the architect behind their downfall, sparking the collapse by ending Flintoff’s astonishing innings.

Though England made a cautious start, playing out two maidens, Flintoff launched into fast bowler Brett Lee, driving him down the ground and swatting him through over mid-wicket in a first over that cost 13.

The onslaught, which included a six over Mike Hussey on the deep square-leg boundary, was so savage that Australia captain Ricky Ponting had to withdraw his quickest bowler from the attack after he conceded 26 runs in only three overs.

Shane Warne removes Steve Harmison as Australia close in on victory © Getty Images

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Flintoff struck Stuart Clark for three successive boundaries but the introduction of leg-spinner Shane Warne was the turning point of the session.

Flintoff hit eight fours as well as that six en route to a 64-ball half-century, dominating a 75-run stand with Kevin Pietersen, only to play over the top of a Warne full toss which bowled him.

Jones bagged a pair in the most ignominious fashion. Attempting to sweep Warne, he was struck on the pad and waited anxiously out of his crease as umpire Rudi Koertzen considered the lbw appeal.

While Jones maintained his pose, Ponting swooped from silly mid-off to throw down the stumps, with the batsman’s foot on rather than behind the popping crease.

Mahmood followed three overs later when he was trapped in front by a Clark full toss, and Warne claimed his third wicket of the innings two balls later when Harmison was adjudged lbw sweeping.

Lunch merely delayed England’s fate and Panesar fell to the first ball he faced after the interval, bowled attempting to sweep Warne and leaving Pietersen stranded on 60 not out.

Cue Australia's wild celebrations, which reflected the burning desire they have held since England won the urn in 2005.