Ashes: Deconstructing the Australian collapse at Durham

It was a collapse of catastrophic proportions.

Australia needed 299 to win the fourth Test at Chester-le-Street in Durham and the visitors were well-placed at 147 for one on the fourth day.

How they crashed to 224 all out is something beyond explanation. The Australian batting collapse albeit helped England win the Ashes outright for a third straight series. Not since 1953, 1955 and 1956 had Australia lost three Ashes series in succession.

Not since the early 1980s had their batting been in such shambles. Here's deconstructing the Australian collapse in the fourth innings.

David Warner (71) and first-innings centurion Chris Rogers (49) put together an opening stand of 109, and even after the latter was dismissed, the former continued to play with freedom even as he was joined by Usman Khawaja.

The duo added a further 38 for the second wicket. Then Khawaja (21) was trapped leg before by Swann and it resulted in a domino effect.

Shortly after, Warner edged a brutish, lifting ball from Tim Bresnan to wicketkeeper Matt Prior.

The opener's aggressive innings contained 10 boundaries and a six but his dismissal reduced the visitors to 168 for three.

Stuart Broad was introduced into the attack immediately after Warner's dismissal.

He struck in his third over, getting through the defence of Michael Clarke (21).

It was the first ball after a drinks break. And a ripper at that. The Australian captain had no answer.

Australia 174 for four.

In his next over, Broad accounted for Steven Smith (2).

It's a short delivery, around chest-high, and Smith went for the hook. The ball took a bottom-edge and fell on the stumps.

It's the right time to play such a shot.

The 24-year-old batsman had proved yet again that there's some time before he learns to bat according to situation.

Australia reduced to 175 for five.

Shane Watson (2) was out in familiar fashion, Bresnan having him out leg before.

The batsman failed to read an angled ball and umpire Aleem Dar had no hesitation raising his finger.

Watson, as has become predictable in the series, went for a review.

And predictably again he was proved wrong.

Australia 179 for six.

Brad Haddin (4) was also dismissed leg before, Broad taking his third wicket in the process.

The Australian wicketkeeper too had it reviewed. But the umpire's call stood.

Australia 181 for seven.

Broad got his fourth icket shortly after.

Ryan Harris (11) was plumb in front.

Australia 199 for eight.

Nathan Lyon (8) had fortune on his side early on, Graeme Swann putting him down at second slip.

However, Broad wasn't to be denied, managing an inside edge to shatter the batsman's stumps.

It helped Broad complete his second five-wicket haul of the match, after his five for 71 in the first innings.

Australia 211 for nine.

With play finishing later than normal following a 70-minute rain interruption earlier in the day, England briefly took the quicker bowlers off as the light deteriorated.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, the gloom gave way to bright sunshine and that was the signal for Broad to deliver the coup de grace by having Peter Siddle (23) caught by James Anderson at mid-off.

Broad took six for 50, claiming all his wickets in an unbelievable 45-ball spell as he completed a second 10-wicket haul in Tests. He was expectedly named man of the match.

England leads the five-match series 3-0 with one Test left, starting at The Oval on Aug 21.