Australia win third Test by 7 wkts

Australia left an indelible mark on the cricket record books with an unprecedented seventh consecutive Ashes series victory after Steve Waugh's team beat England by seven wickets in the third Test on Saturday.

Needing 158 to win, Australia sped to success in 29.2 overs on a rain-interrupted third day at Trent Bridge to take an unbeatable 3-0 series lead with two Tests to play.

In an absorbing match that was rarely short of drama, Australia's final push towards success was jolted when skipper Waugh was forced to retire hurt after making one.

Waugh was taken off on a stretcher with a left inside calf injury which he sustained when he set off for a single after turning his first ball to the leg side.

The Australian skipper was in obvious discomfort as soon as he started to run but he hobbled to the other end where he sat down, took off his pads and received attention from the team physio before the stretcher was brought on.

Australian Cricket Board media spokesman Brian Murgatroyd said Waugh felt a "sharp pain". He is to have a scan but it will be 24 hours before a diagnosis is made.

LINGERING HOPES

Waugh's side were 89 for three when he went off but any lingering hopes England might have held of an upset win were dispelled by the captain's brother, Mark, and Damien Martyn.

Mark Waugh stroked an unbeaten 42 from 45 balls and Martyn hit 33 not out off 37 deliveries as they put on 69 in 66 balls.

When the win came -- from an Andrew Caddick no-ball -- their team mates embraced each other on the pavilion balcony.

Australia had stepped up their drive towards an Ashes-winning victory with a typically ruthless piece of out-cricket in the morning to wrap up England's second innings for 162 -- a lead of only 157.

England, 144 for six overnight, lasted 49 more balls during which the remaining four wickets were swept aside for 18 runs, completing a familiar collapse. England's last eight wickets fell for 47.

HOSTILE SPELL

Jason Gillespie, who had bowled a wonderfully hostile spell on Friday without reward, was the main destroyer as he snatched three wickets for six runs in 14 balls before leg-sinner Shane Warne ended the innings to finish with six for 33.

Gillespie struck with his fourth ball of the morning.

Ian Ward was beaten by a straight ball as he pushed down the wrong line and went lbw for 13 after failing to add to his overnight score.

In Gillespie's next over, Robert Croft aimed to drive but succeeded only in dragging the ball into his stumps before he had scored.

English supporters in the capacity crowd found cause to cheer when Alex Tudor cover drove Warne for four to bring up the 150 and Caddick forced Gillespie to the square cover boundary in the next over.

100TH TEST WICKET

Gillespie was not to be denied further success, however, and had Caddick caught behind for four to capture his 100th Test wicket in his 24th match.

Warne then finished off the job he had started so stunningly with five wickets on the previous evening by getting Tudor caught off a leading edge by Ponting at cover for nine.

Left facing a modest target, Australian openers Matthew Hayden and Michael Slater were clearly intent on reaching it in the quickest possible time, racing to 36 off 34 balls before Slater edged Caddick to the wicketkeeper.

Ponting went to Croft for 17, leaving the talented Tasmanian with a meagre 60 runs from his five innings in the series, and Hayden was given out lbw offering no stroke to Tudor after a vigorous 42 off 51 deliveries.

After the drama of Waugh's injury and two short stoppages for showers, Mark Waugh and Martyn batted with control, conviction and characteristic style.

Scorecard | Images of the match

Mail Cricket Editor