Australia secured the Ashes series on Sunday, after coasting to an innings victory at the Waca inside three days.

England have now lost eight series in a row against the old enemy.

And despite brave stands from Nasser Hussain and Alec Stewart, anything other than another home win always looked unlikely.

The tourists recovered bravely from a disastrous score of 34 for four, thanks to a gutsy partnership between Hussain (61) and Robert Key (23).

But the end could have arrived much sooner - had Shane Warne held on to an edge off the England captain's first ball.

The calamitous cricket early in the day saw a trio of wickets fall in the space of four overs.

Australia celebrate the run-out of Vaughan

First nightwatchman Richard Dawson drove a half-volley from Jason Gillespie to the right of gully, where Steve Waugh took a fine catch.

Soon afterwards, Michael Vaughan pushed Glenn McGrath into the off-side and set off for what was England's first run of the day.

But Mark Butcher looked keen to come back for a second, before selling Vaughan a dummy.

Brett Lee's throw, relayed by Gilchrist back to the bowler, resulted in Vaughan being run out by yards.

The very next delivery, McGrath swung a ball straight into Butcher's pads for the first lbw of the Test.

It was then left to Hussain and Stewart to steady the innings and both proved up to the task as tea approached.

Dropped at slip

Soon after the interval, Stewart, who finished on 66 not out, crucially lost Hussain - who was caught behind off Warne, one ball after being dropped at slip.

Craig White was stumped off Warne for 15 and Alex Tudor had to retire hurt when he was hit face on, by a dangerously quick Lee bouncer.

Tudor had six stitches in a head wound and will also be going for a precautionary x-ray.

With Chris Silverwood unable to bat due to his ankle injury, Australia only needed one further wicket.

It came when Lee speared a full toss into Steve Harmison's stumps to cap a miserable three weeks for England, who must now attempt to regroup ahead of next week's one-day series.

Australia: Steve Waugh (capt), Matthew Hayden, Justin Langer, Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn, Darren Lehmann, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne, Brett Lee, Jason Gillespie, Glenn McGrath.

England: Nasser Hussain (capt), Marcus Trescothick, Michael Vaughan, Mark Butcher, Robert Key, Alec Stewart, Craig White, Richard Dawson, Steve Harmison, Alex Tudor, Chris Silverwood.