England regained the Ashes 10.2 overs into the third day at Trent Bridge as they completed a thumping win by an innings and 78 runs in the fourth Investec Test.

Little more than 18 months after suffering a 5-0 humiliation in Australia, England reclaimed the urn with their second straight Test victory achieved inside three days of play, bringing the curtain down on one of English cricket’s most difficult periods with a flourish.

The hosts took Australia’s three remaining second-innings wickets in 39 minutes of play to win by an innings and 78 runs, with Ben Stokes taking 6-36.

However this second successive three-day victory over their oldest rivals gives England an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series with one match to play.

England have now beaten Australia in four consecutive home series – their best sequence since 1896.

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