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SYDNEY. — Australia’s media yesterday labelled as “humiliating” the dramatic batting collapse that cost the country’s cricketers a chance to win the fourth Ashes Test against England.Set 299 to win on Monday’s fourth day at Chester-le-Street in Durham, Australia were well-placed at 168 for two but crashed to 224 all out, with paceman Stuart Broad ripping through the middle order on his way to taking six wickets for 50.

“No-one does shameful collapses quite like Australia and Michael Clarke’s side conjured up one to remember, or rather to forget, at Durham to hand the Ashes series to England,” said The Australian’s cricket writer Wayne Smith.

“Not since it was beaten in 1953, 1955 and 1956 has Australia lost three Ashes series in succession but rarely, with so much on the line and with victory so clearly in sight, has a team succumbed so meekly.” Australia were scenting victory after a solid century opening stand between David Warner and fellow left-hander Chris Rogers but Rogers was out for 49 and his partner (71) was the third batsmen dismissed as eight wickets fell for just 56 runs.

“Australia had already conceded the Ashes but a humiliating batting collapse at Durham has rubbed salt into their wounds,” said the Sydney Morning Herald’s Chris Barrett.

“Without a Test win since January, Australia will drop to fifth in world rankings.” — AFP.