Thunder Dunked by Hurricanes

Ben Dunk was at his destructive best against Sydney Thunder. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones Source: Nikki Davis-Jones / News Limited

BEN Dunk produced a Hurricanes record as Hobart got its season back on track, inflicting the Sydney Thunder to even more woe.

Horrible in the field for the first 15 overs with the ball, the Thunder lost its big gun in the third over of the day when captain Mike Hussey charged Ben Hilfenhaus first ball and was easily caught at midwicket.

The Thunder remain the one dull spot in the shining light of the Big Bash, pushing its losing streak out to an embarrassing 19.

Chasing 168 to win at 8.4 an over, the Thunder was humbled for 94, with the Hurricanes Ben Laughlin (3-8 off three), Cameron Boyce (3-25 off 3.4) and Shoaib Malik (2-19 off four).

While Dunk spanked 96 from 54 balls, the highest individual score by a batsman in purple, again Sydney had some horrific moments that cost it any chance of recording its first win in more than two series.

Ben Laughlin celebrates the wicket of Usman Khawaja. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) Source: Getty Images

Jason Floros grassed an absolute sitter off Dunk on 68 and its bowlers were smashed to all parts inside and outside Blundstone Arena in the first 15 overs.

To cap off another wretched day, there was a comical run out that saw Floros and Kurtis Patterson stranded mid-pitch looking at each as the stumps were broken.

However, to the men in lime green's credit, they reined the Hurricanes in, denying the home side an additional 15 to 20 runs with late wickets, starting with the fall of Dunk and restricting Hobart to just one boundary in the last 28 balls.

Hobart import Owais Shah struggled with the tempo again, making just three off seven balls in the last three overs of the match.

Man of the match Dunk now has the fastest 50 in Big Bash history (50 off 20 against the Heat), and yesterday added the highest Big Bash score this season and the highest ever individual Hurricanes score.

The left-handed opener slammed eight fours and five sixes, including one sweep slog out of the ground and down adjacent Church St.

He went to bring up the first ever Hurricanes century in style, pulling a Gurinder Sandhu slower ball bouncer but could only find deep midwicket.

With the win Hobart jumped provisionally back into the top four.

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Classic favourite does as he pleases

Tom Berry (right) congratulates his brother Nathan after winning the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on Unencumbered. Source: Adam Taylor / News Limited

A DREAM hatched more than a decade ago came true for Bjorn Baker this afternoon after a heavily backed Unencumbered scored a dominant victory in the $2 million Magic Millions Classic.

Backed from $3.50 into $3 at one stage in betting, the Warwick Farm galloper sat off the speed before he gunned down Oakleigh Girl, with the fast-finishing Ruby Soho third in the Gold Coast dash.

"I came here and backed Testa Rossa in 1999 and she won, since then I've wanted to train the winner of this race,'' Baker said.

Nathan Berry celebrates his win in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast. Source: News Limited

"This horse is such a professional.''

The win gave Nathan Berry his biggest success in a race and the Berry brothers three of the last four Magic Millions Classics.

"It's a phenomenal feeling to win this,'' Berry said.

"As soon as we straightened I knew he would just let down and that's exactly what he did.''

Unencumbered was sold for $70,000 at the Magic Millions sale in January.

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We're learning from Buddy

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LANCE Franklin is teaching his new Sydney teammates Hawthorn's premiership secrets.

The Swans' star recruit is passing on tips on match-day tactics, preparation and staying ahead of the curve on how the game is played, according to Sydney co-captain Jarrad McVeigh.

"He's been fantastic," McVeigh said today.

"He's offering good opinions about the things he's seen at Hawthorn, because they're the best team at the moment, and he has been sharing a few things they do which we can bring into our training and into our games.

"He's made contributions about the way the game is being played because Hawthorn has been at the forefront of the competition for a number of years."

Lance Franklin runs laps at Lakeside Oval. Source: Getty Images

Franklin ran laps at the Swans' training session today before joining some basic skills work as he picks up his training program following a late start.

In more good news, McVeigh said champion Adam Goodes was "flying" in his return from a knee injury.

Buddy gets a feel for the footy. Source: Getty Images

"Being 34 it takes a bit longer but he doesn't do much pre-season anyway because he is so skilful and he knows how the game is played," McVeigh said.

"I can't wait to see him back out on the field."

He said Rhyce Shaw was on track in his comeback from LARS surgery.

Lance Franklin gives Swans champ Adam Goodes a pat on the back. Source: Getty Images

Aliir Aliir tries to break free from a Kieren Jack tackle during Swans training. Source: Getty Images

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England to rest Broad for two ODIs

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ENGLAND will follow Australia's lead and rest a key paceman for the start of the one-day series.

A day after Australian coach Darren Lehmann confirmed Mitchell Johnson would be rested from the opening match at the MCG, PA has revealed that Stuart Broad will skip the first two matches of the series in Melbourne and Brisbane.

That rest, which includes a tour game in Canberra in-between, will allow Broad time to recover from the gruelling Test series.

The 27-year-old was England's most dependable bowler, with a team-high 21 wickets at 27.52 making him the side's leading wicket-taker.

His absence means the turnover between the Test and one-day teams will be even more pronounced, with several newcomers joining the squad for their first team training session at the MCG on Friday.

Without the burden of the Ashes defeat around their neck, those players are choosing to focus not on last week's whitewash but instead 400 days ahead to the 2015 World Cup.

With Australia and New Zealand hosting the World Cup from next February, damaging middle-order batsman Eoin Morgan suggested it was perfect preparation for an England side looking for their first crown.

"If you look at the last one-day series, the opportunities that came about, it was the rise of Ben Stokes and Boyd Rankin and Chris Jordan," he said.

"They've grabbed opportunities with both hands with the bat and ball, which is great to see really in preparation building for a World Cup in 2015."

Morgan needed no reminding that the 2015 opener was 400 days away at the MCG.

"The stuff that we build, the platform we build while we're here is really important," he said.

"It's important that we learn from any mistakes and we build confidence down this side of the world."

Morgan has been in Australia playing for Big Bash League franchise Sydney Thunder who, like his Test teammates, are winless from five.

Those defeats - or linking up with a squad reportedly riddled with division - haven't dampened his positivity ahead of the five-game ODI series.

"The guys are good; we've had six, seven fresh faces come into the side and brought a lot of energy, including myself," he said.

"The guys are champing at the bit to get involved ... young guys coming through who are keen to score runs and take wickets.

"The (division) suggestions are it was all the Test (squad) but I've nothing to add."

Australia claimed the last ODI series against England 2-1 in England last year.

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McIntosh closes in on AFL return

Geelong ruckman Hamish McIntosh at training. Source: Glenn Ferguson / News Limited

GEELONG is excited but cautious about the prospect of injury-plagued ruckman Hamish McIntosh making his long-awaited return to football.

Cats coach Chris Scott yesterday confirmed the former North Melbourne big man will be a definite starter in NAB pre-season matches, with the club hopeful he will pull on the hoops for the first time in the Round 1 clash against Adelaide.

Asked how the 107-game McIntosh was tracking in the pre-season, Scott replied: "I hesitate to say, but very well. Yeah ... very well.

"He's doing all the training that we're asking of him. And he's making a difference to the way we train on the track. He's a player that we're excited about because he's a different type of ruckman to our other guys and we're starting to see that on the training track now.

"I should speak cautiously when it comes to Hamish because he's missed a hell of a lot of footy, not only with us, but he played only eight games in two years prior to coming to us.

"Until he gets some consistency week after week and can back up from some hard games then it would be folly for us to get too excited."

Scott forecast McIntosh would play a big part in the Cats pre-season, should he remain fit.

"He'll definitely play pre-season games," Scott said.

"We haven't finalised our pre-season program for all our players but it wouldn't surprise at all to see Hamish play the first game that's available to him."

Scott said the Cats had a "relatively healthy list", with a number of stars making steady progress from post-season surgery.

Allen Christensen and Jackson Thurlow are both "up and running" from minor hip surgery, while ruckman Dawson Simpson is training with the main group.

"He's (Simpson) back training now and looking good, which is really positive," Scott said.

"Shane Kersten injured his knee in the VFL grand final and he's making steady progress and is on track to play the first game of the season in a month or two, so we're slowly getting guys back.

"We're in a different situation to the one we were in last year where we had quite a big injury list. We're relatively healthy, I don't think that's a sign that we've gone softer on the players because they are working extremely hard, but we're pretty optimistic that when we start playing games we'll have something close to our best list available."

Livewire Steve Motlop completed light skills away from the main group yesterday as he recovers from patella tendinitis, which the club is carefully monitoring.

The club has put a line through Daniel Menzel until the midway-point of the main season, despite the youngsters showing encouraging signs.

Veteran Corey Enright is showing no signs of injury woes after injuring his knee at the back-end of the season, while the Cats No. 1 draft pick Darcy Lang has joined the main group and is already demonstrating why he was so highly valued but the club's recruiting staff, Scott said.

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Watson unhurt after car collision

Calvin Watson with his trophy after winning the Herald Sun Tour last year. Source: Michael Klein / News Limited

CYCLIST Calvin Watson is in doubt for Sunday's national championship road race after being hit by a car at Dromana near Melbourne today.

The 21-year-old Victorian, who has just signed his first professional contract with Trek Factory Racing, was on a training ride near the beach on the Mornington Peninsula when he collided with a car being driven by a female and went over the bonnet.

Police were notified of the incident but Watson said he did not want to press charges.

"I lost a bit of skin here and there and the normal abrasions, but to begin with I was a bit nervous about my knee because it went up like a balloon straight away," Watson said.

"I've been to the hospital to get it checked up on and had it X-rayed and there's no major issues, which is nice.

"My bike is a bit scratched up but it's not cracked, which is lucky, and I got mum and dad to pick me up."

Watson is the reigning Herald Sun Tour champion who rode the Tour Down Under with wildcard team UniSA-Australia last year.

But this season he is joining the likes of Frank and Andy Schleck, Jens Voigt and Fabian Cancellara at Trek Factory Racing in Europe.

He hopes to start Sunday's 183.6km race at Buninyong but won't push himself if it's likely to put him at risk of riding the TDU next week.

"Obviously the biggest goal is to be good at Tour Down Under, so if I'm going to do any damage to myself by riding the nationals then I'll sit out," he said.

"But that will be something I'll talk to the team tonight and see what they want to do.

"I'll probably be up to riding it but if it's going to affect how my preparation goes for Down Under then maybe I'm best to miss it, because I'm realistic about my own ambitions for the nationals.

"I'll see what the team say tonight but at this stage I'm doing everything I can to be on the start line, but we'll see."

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Hepburn leads EDGE sweep

Michael Hepburn is low in the saddle en route to winning the Australian national time trial. Source: Colleen Petch / News Limited

MICHAEL Hepburn started his full-time road cycling career in the most emphatic way possible by storming to victory in the national time trial championship today.

The 22-year-old world champion and Olympic silver medallist on the track ended Luke Durbridge's two-year grip on the title by 11 seconds over the 45km course at Burrumbeet.

The race was filled with drama when one of the early favourites Rohan Dennis was picked up by a whirly-wind and dumped off his bike and had to abandon, while Hepburn came from 30 seconds behind Durbridge at the half-way point to claim victory in 56mins 25secs.

In an Orica-GreenEDGE clean sweep of the podium, rookie professional Damien Howson was third, just over two minutes behind Durbidge.

"To be honest this is pretty special," said Hepburn, who is the current team and individual pursuit world champion on the track.

"It hasn't been the easiest two years for me on the road trying to fit in the track stuff as well and I've been through some tough times.

"So to start the year, my first year when I'm really going to focus on the road like this, it's pretty huge for me.

"I think I've only ever won one time trial before and that was a prologue, and this is one of the areas I want to improve on so I'm pretty happy to come out in the start of January and get a result when it wasn't something I was really focusing on in December."

Hepburn (right) with the winner's trophy as runner-up Luke Durbridge looks on. Source: News Limited

Hepburn said it was also a reward for his team, Orica-GreenEDGE, which last year handed him a contract extension until the end of 2015.

"I haven't raced a lot with the team the last two years and they've been really patient with me," the Queenslander said.

"And to be honest my progression hasn't happened as quickly as I would have liked.

"So for the team to have the faith in me and give me another couple of years, it's a really good way to start the year."

Durbridge said he would have liked more than just one time check out on the road, but took nothing away from Hepburn's win.

"I knew I was 30 seconds up but he obviously closed in and I had no idea coming into the line where he was," Durbridge said.

"But that's time trialling, you've got to go as hard as you can to the line and I was going as hard as I can. I wasn't sitting back on my laurels.

"Full credit to Hepburn, he's a great time triallist, back in under-23s we were always one or two seconds apart during the season and good on him, I'm really proud of the guy. He's one of my best friends so all I can be is happy for him."

Durbridge said his sore throat in the days before the race had no impact on the result.

"I had good form, I can't really question anything, I gave it as hard as I can out there," he said.

"I'll have to go back and have a look at where I went wrong, analyse a few of the files and see if I can improve on that."

Marc Williams (left) is overtaken about 500 metres from the finish line by Hepburn. Source: News Limited

Hepburn went into the race hoping to land on the podium but the further it went and as he passed some nine riders who had started before him, the better he felt.

"In the last couple of days since the Bay Crits I've been a little bit flat then this morning on the ergo I could feel the legs were coming around," he said.

"I had one time check out there about halfway and I was 30 seconds down on Luke and I know he tends to go out a little bit faster than I do and I can sometimes come home quite strong.

"I just tried to keep on the power and I felt really good out there."

Hepburn will open his season-proper at the Tour of Qatar in February and will ride the semi-classics in Belgium en route to what he hopes will be selection to ride his first Paris-Roubaix.

"They're (classics) something that motivate me," he said.

"I've got a lot of learning to do and those races take a long time to gain experience in but it's something I want to start out now so in a few years down the track I can be competitive."

Earlier today, Queenslander Jordan Kirby gave Australia's new Pro Continental team, Drapac Professional Cycling, the perfect start to its season by winning the men's under-23 time trial crown.

Hepburn drinks up to toast his victiry as Durbridge laughs alongside him. Source: News Limited

Kirby was quickest around the 28km course in 34mins 56.44secs to beat South Australian Harry Carpenter by an agonising two one-hundredths of a second, while fellow Croweater Miles Scotson was third.

It means Kirby now has both under-23 time trial and road race crowns after he won last year's road race.

The MARS Cycling Australia Road National Championships continue on Thursday with men's and women's criterium races in Ballarat.

TOP 10 MEN'S INDIVIDUAL TIME TRIAL

1. Michael Hepburn 56:25

2. Luke Durbridge 56:37

3. Damien Howson 58:32

4. Ben Dyball 59:01

5. Will Clarke 59:17

6. Tim Roe 59:36

7. Marc Williams 1:00:27

8. Matthew Clark 1:43:58

9. Jack Anderson 1:54:48

10. Jacob Kauffmann 1:01:06

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Dugan confident worst is behind him

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ST GEORGE Illawarra star Josh Dugan is confident the worst is behind him following what was a year from hell for the controversial fullback.

The 23-year-old landed at the Dragons' doorstep after he had his contract with Canberra terminated following a string of off-field incidents.

Dugan said he needed a fresh start, and after repeated misdemeanours, it all came to a head following what is now known as 'the infamous rooftop photo'.

"I'd like to think that I won't make a mistake as big as that again," Dugan told NRL pre-season.

"Everyone's human and you do make mistakes."

The infamous photo of Josh Dugan and Blake Ferguson. Source: Instagram

Dugan and his former teammate Blake Ferguson were photographed drinking on the roof of a Canberra home in March.

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Dugan took the photo of himself on the roof while drinking and gesturing with his middle finger and posted it on Instagram.

He says the photo was his "low point" after becoming complacent at the Raiders.

"I was in and out of happiness at Canberra," Dugan said.

"I was floating by on raw talent."

But Dugan wasn't doing himself any favours.

After initially rejecting the Dragons and agreeing to terms with Brisbane, the Broncos withdrew their offer when the young star became embroiled in a social media spat.

Josh Dugan's Instagram rant. Source: TheAustralian

Dugan told a Canberra Raiders fan to "end yourself'', but following counselling and regular meetings with the NRL, he soon signed a modest one-year deal with the Dragons, returning to the field in round 10.

He scored two tries on debut and was selected for NSW in game two and three of the State of Origin series.

Josh Dugan pictured before his first SOO game. Source: News Limited

His form, coupled with Origin selection, was his way of proving a point to the naysayers.

"I put a lot of people back in their corner just with my actions last year," he said.

Dugan signed a rich four-year deal with the Dragons at the end of last season.

To see the full interview and what he has to say about 'that photo', tune into NRL pre-season this Wednesday on Fox Sports 1HD.

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Auckland wind a breeze for German

AUCKLAND'S wind has blown the chances of plenty of players away at the Heineken Open.

But after 10 years playing in the city, it's now Philipp Kohlschreiber's friend.

With improving Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta pushing him towards a third set tiebreak, the 2008 champion reverted to backhand slices in an attempt to slow the rallies up.

It ultimately worked, as Kohlschreiber broke serve in the 12th game of the third set to win 6-2 3-6 7-5.

Kohlschreiber, like top seed David Ferrer, is making his 10th visit to Auckland, and he put all of his knowledge to good use.

"With the wind, the slice is not that fast but it's changing the direction of the ball quite a lot," the fifth seed said.

"I remember when I lost in the semis to (Olivier) Rochus in 2012 he played a lot of slice and I got frustrated very badly. If you play a good slice it's pretty tough to do something and in a tight moment you never know."

Kohlschreiber now takes on Horacio Zeballos of Argentina, a player he's beaten in their three previous clashes.

The tournament lost its first seeded player on Tuesday when Dutchman Robin Haase lost in a three-set, 2 hour and 10 minute marathon to Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain.

Sixth seed Benoit Paire of France had an easier time, beating Poland's Michal Przysiezny 6-4 6-2 in 49 minutes to earn a second round match with Roberto Bautista Agut of Spain, a 6-1 3-6 6-4 winner over qualifier Daniel Gimeno-Traver.

Two qualifiers to win through to the second round were American Donald Young, who beat Federico Delbonis of Argentina, and Slovakia's Lukas Lacko, who easily accounted for New Zealand wildcard Rubin Statham.

Both face tough second round matches: Young will play Ferrer, while Lacko faces third seed John Isner of the United States.

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McKenna denies forward rest for Ablett

Gary Ablett will remain a Suns midfielder. Source: Scott Fletcher / News Limited

GARY Ablett is no certainty to get a forward line "holiday'' in 2014, with Suns coach Guy McKenna admitting he'd be crazy to move the game's best player from the vital midfield battle.

Following last season the dual Brownlow Medallist hinted he may follow in his famous father's footsteps and march further upfield to prolong his career.

The move would also be a major vote of confidence for the Gold Coast's fleet of youngsters, now deemed ready to fight their own battles in the AFL.

Yet McKenna is still to be convinced the change would benefit his side, acknowledging the game-breaking credentials of 29-year-old Ablett.

LIVE CHAT: 10 bold AFL predictions for 2014

"If he's saying that (he wants to play forward) that tells me he's more comfortable in the ability of the playing group,'' McKenna said of the Gold Coast's games and goals record-holder.

"But the year Gary has had I'm not so sure I want him to go forward and have a holiday yet.

"He is still a great player and as much as we need to look after him he was so crucial in helping improve key stats for us.

"That's something we may look at but we know how big an influence he can have on matches when he's on the ball.''

BEST 22: Get every club's 2014 line up

McKenna, though, remains confident he has the cattle if and when Ablett heads off to pasture.

After a nine-day trip to Arizona over the festive period, the club returned to pre-season training on Monday with a full complement of talent on board.

During their 8-14 campaign last year, the Suns burned through 42 players as the lighter frames were exposed against hardened footballers.

But with steady improvements across three seasons in the AFL, McKenna expects a greater return from the core band of teenagers first assembled on the Gold Coast.

"We won't do our official testing (on fitness levels) until Friday but with your eye you can see how much fitter and stronger those young boys are,'' McKenna said.

"Guys like Dion Prestia and David Swallow, these blokes have come back and haven't disappointed each year.

"We are still not doing our full pre-season yet so that's the scary thing. Those boys that started as 18 or 19-year-olds are getting bigger and stronger.

"Those younger boys should be able to stand up and compete better. We don't expect to go from using 42 players to 32, but if we can have a bit of luck and get down to about 35 it means we won't be as stretched.''

McKenna says Karmichael Hunt is on track for more playing time in 2014 after persistent niggles restricted the code-hopper to just nine matches last season.

"We don't want him to lose any more weight and he's running the best he's ever run,'' he said.

"He was unlucky with injuries last season but we see him having a big role with us this season.''

The Suns kick off their NAB Cup campaign against Essendon at Metricon Stadium on February 17.

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Premat announces GRM exit

Alex Premat has announced he is leaving Garry Rogers Motorsport. Source: Supplied

FRENCH V8 Supercar driver Alex Premat announced Monday that he is leaving Garry Rogers Motorsport, effective immediately.

The 31-year-old Premat joined GRM in 2012 but struggled to adapt to the series, eventually replaced by Greg Ritter during the season.

He remained with the team in 2013 and showed promising signs but failed to place on the podium.

Premat's best finish was a fourth at the season-opening Clipsal 500 in Adelaide.

"After examining my driving options, both here and overseas, and having had discussions with Garry I have decided to explore other avenues and I have informed Garry that I will not be driving for GRM in season 2014," Premat said in a statement Monday.

The news came on the same day it was confirmed Will Davison would be joining Erebus Motorsport from Ford Performance Racing.

GRM will be re-branded as Volvo Polestar Racing this season.

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Gajdosova crashes out in Sydney

Jarmila Gajdosova reacts after losing a point to Lauren Davis. (AP Photo/Daniel Munoz) Source: Daniel Munoz / AP

JARMILA Gajdosova's forgettable streak has continued with a first-round loss to American qualifier Lauren Davis at the Sydney International.

Australia's one-time world No.25 has slipped to 265th in the rankings after going 12 months without a win on the WTA Tour and required a wildcard into the Australian Open lead-up event.

But her tournament lasted just two sets, with Gajdosova going down 6-4 7-6 (10-8) on Monday.

German fifth seed Angelique Kerber earlier scored a hard-fought victory over Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova to reach the second round.

Kerber had to recover from a first-set deficit and then needed two attempts to serve out a 7-6 (7-5) 7-5 victory on her third match point.

She next meets Estonian Kaia Kanepi, who outclassed American qualifier Victoria Duval 6-1 6-3, for a place in the quarter-finals.

In other matches, Czech left-hander Lucie Safarova beat former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone 6-4 6-4 and American Bethanie Mattek-Sands ousted Canadian Eugenie Bouchard 6-4 6-3.

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Live: Aussies celebrate Ashes glory

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AUSTRALIA has completed an Ashes whitewash after winning the fifth and final Ashes Test by 281 runs on Jane McGrath Day at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The win was fittingly sealed when captain Michael Clarke took a catch at stlip to dismiss England No.11 Boyd Rankin for a duck off the bowling of Ryan Harris, who finished with innings figures of 5-25 and was named man of the match, as England was bowled out for 166.

Click here to see a full scoreboard, ball-by-ball commentary, stats and FoxTracker in our Match Centre.

IN PICTURES: SCG TURNS PINK FOR JANE MCGRATH DAY

The win sparked a frenzy of activity on the ground, in the stands and on social media as Australia basked in the glory of just the third ever clean sweep over England.

Get all the best reaction to Australia's Ashes whitewash in our live blog below, featuring videos, analysis and reaction from the ground and around the world via social media. Join the conversation by commenting at the top of the blog, or contact us on Twitter @FoxCricketLive.

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Aussies wrap up Ashes whitewash

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AUSTRALIA sealed just the third ever Ashes series whitewash on a day of high emotion at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.

The end came quicker than anyone could have imagined, as England's batsmen once again capitulated to be all out for 166, only an 11-run improvement on its first innings effort, to hand Australia a 281-run victory shortly after tea on day three of the fifth Test.

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IN PICTURES: SCG TURNS PINK FOR JANE MCGRATH DAY

That ensured Michael Clarke's side entered the record books, joining the Australian teams of 1920-21 and 2006-07 as the only to clean sweep a series against England.

It was fitting that Australia's captain took the final catch of the series, snaring a good grab at slip from a Boyd Rankin edge, handing Ryan Harris (5-25) his fifth wicket of the innings.

Even at the tea break it looked as though England would push the match into a fourth day, with Australia still needing seven more wickets for victory.

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But the match was as good as over when the tourists lost four wickets in the first two overs after tea, as Mitchell Johnson (3-40) removed opener Michael Carberry (43) and debutant Gary Ballance (7), while Nathan Lyon also snared the scalps of Jonny Bairstow (0) and Scott Borthwick (4).

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Some lusty hitting from Ben Stokes, who belted 32 off just 16 balls to once again show the fight that his more senior teammates lacked throughout the series, as well as four sixes from Stuart Broad gave some entertainment to the crowd but it was merely delaying the inevitable.

The day began with all 11 members of both teams presenting legendary pace bowler Glenn McGrath with baggy pink caps in honour of Jane McGrath Day, with the newly-renovated SCG covered in pink in recognition of the McGrath Foundation's breast cancer work.

It was a good start for Australia on the field as well, with Chris Rogers continuing his late-career bloom by bringing up his second century in as many Tests.

The gloss was taken off his celebrations, however, when George Bailey fell straight into an English trap, caught at deep square leg to leave his spot in the Test side for the tour of South Africa in serious doubt.

Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin played a typically adventurous innings full of unconventional shots before he was dismissed for 28 by leg-spinner Scott Borthwick, who ended up taking four wickets on his Test debut.

Rogers was eventually dismissed for 119 and Australia was all out a short time later for 276, leaving England a near-impossible run chase of 448 for victory.

It took just a few minutes for Australia's bowlers to strike, with Johnson ending Alastair Cook's horror series when he had the England skipper caught behind for seven. Cook finished with a series average of 24.6, a mere shadow of the man that dominated with the bat on his last visit to Australia.

He was soon joined in the pavilion by Ian Bell (16) and Kevin Pietersen (6), both removed by Harris, to leave the tourists reeling at 3-57.

Carberry and Ballance combined to put up a brief resistance, but once they fell after the tea break it was only a matter of time until Australia would be toasting a clean sweep for the first time in seven years.

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