Flintoff and Pietersen are the men at the crease at the start of the final day, needing a miracle to keep hold of the Ashes

Lee tries in vain to reach a shot by Flintoff but it flies over his head for four

Flintoff can play only one way and that is to attack and here he smashes Brett Lee for six over midwicket

Pietersen survives the closest of run-out decisions off Warne on the benefit of the doubt with England on 323-5

Pietersen was the more subdued of the pair but after surviving a run-out on 46 reached his eighth Test fifty

After 90 entertaining minutes, Shane Warne makes the breakthrough, bowling Flintoff

The beginning of the end - Andrew Flintoff is well aware what his dismissal means as he walks back to the pavillion

Geraint Jones quickly follows his captain back - and records his second duck of the match, run out by Ponting

The Australian players' faces say it all as they wait for the third umpire's decision on Jones' fate

Stuart Clark appeals successfully for the wicket of Sajid Mahmood as the England tail begins its collapse

Harmison is next, unable to put up any resistance to the guiles of Warne

The final wicket falls - Monty Panesar is bowled by - who else? - Warne and the Australian celebrations begin

The joy on the faces of Ponting and Gilchrist makes it clear just how much winning back the Ashes meant to Australia

Hussey and Ponting, whose batting was so crucial to Australia's success, celebrate after winning the match

The England players ponder their capitulation, unrecognisable from the men who won the Ashes 15 months ago

Ricky Ponting poses with a replica of the Ashes urn to put the seal on a crushing series victory

The winning team - Australia's cricketers strike a joyful pose having sealed the Ashes before Christmas