England's James Anderson (C) and Matt Prior hug after they dismissed Australia's captain Michael Clarke in Sydney. (Reuters) SYDNEY: England stood on the brink of a first Ashes series triumph in Australia for 24 years after reducing the host to 213 for seven in its second innings at stumps on the fourth day of the fifth Test Thursday. Dominant batting from the tourists saw them score a record 644 for a first-innings lead of 364 before James Anderson, Tim Bresnan and Chris Tremlett got the ball swinging in the afternoon to wreak havoc among the shell-shocked Australians. Australia, batting to save itself from the humiliation of a third innings defeat in the series, has Steve Smith (24) and Peter Siddle (17) at the crease but still trails by 151 runs. England had already ensured it would retain the Ashes by taking a 2-1 lead in the series in Melbourne last week and just needed just a draw at the Sydney Cricket Ground to seal the series triumph. Although fine bowling was responsible for most of the Australian wickets, the host contributed the first with the farcical run out of Shane Watson for 38. Watson, who had already run out fellow openers Simon Katich and Phillip Hughes this series, was left stranded at the wrong end when Hughes declined a second run and Matt Prior, who earlier made a quickfire 118, removed the bails. Hughes lasted a little longer before falling for 13 after getting an edge to a Bresnan delivery following a period of sustained pressure and Prior continued his good day by taking the catch. The next two wickets to fall were also caught behind by Prior, Anderson getting his 22nd and 23rd victims of the series by tempting Usman Khawaja into a feint edge for 21 and snaring captain Michael Clarke for 41 with an outswinger. Bresnan returned to have Mike Hussey caught in the gully by Pietersen for 12 before Tremlett got into his aggressive stride and threatened to finish the match by himself. The tall seamer tempted Brad Haddin (30) to attempt a hook but instead he found a top edge that Prior claimed for his sixth catch of the match. Mitchell Johnson, who went for 4-168 in England's innings, was next in but he lasted just one ball as Tremlett clean bowled him to move to set up a hat trick delivery that Siddle blocked. Scenting victory and with the Barmy Army in full voice, England claimed the extra half an hour it is allowed to try and force a result but Smith and Siddle held on to at least send the Test into the full five days. England had added 156 runs to its overnight tally before the Australians finally winkled it out just after lunch, but not before it had bettered the previous record of 636-8 declared the 1928-29 tourists achieved at the same ground. Prior helped himself to a century from just 109 balls and even the tailenders got into the act as Australia's bowlers labored to little effect. Collingwood quits Tests Paul Collingwood is to quit Test cricket after the fifth Ashes encounter, the England batsman said Thursday, going out on a high after helping to retain the famous urn in Australia for the first time in 24 years. The 34-year-old will continue as captain of England's world champion Twenty20 team and in the one-day team, which will contest the World Cup starting next month.
