|| CF Correspondent ||

Australia finally broke England's brave resistance to retain the Ashes with a 185-run victory in the fourth Test at Old Trafford.

Amid incredible tension on the fifth evening, England ninth-wicket pair Craig Overton and Jack Leach survived for 13.5 overs against the second new ball.

But after Leach turned the leg-spin of Marnus Labuschagne to short leg, Overton was lbw to Josh Hazlewood to give Australia victory with 13.3 of the day's 98 overs remaining.

England began on 18-2 chasing a notional 383, but more realistically looking to bat through the day and set up a series decider at The Oval.

Joe Denly made 53, Jason Roy, Jonny Bairstow and Jos Buttler all showed defiance, and the big-hearted Overton spent 105 balls at the crease.

But the relentless Australia attack was simply too much to hold back as pace bowler Pat Cummins ended with 4-43.

It means Australia will leave the UK with the urn for the first time since 2001, while England will not add the Ashes to the World Cup they won in July.