Hussain agony as Australia crush England

England captain Nasser Hussain was struck by his injury jinx again as Australia cruised to a crushing innings victory in the first Ashes Test on Sunday.

Steve Waugh's side routed the home team by an innings and 118 runs, tearing the heart out of England's second innings either side of lunch on the fourth day as they slumped from 142 for two to 164 all out.

Jason Gillespie and Shane Warne each took three wickets.

The Australians went on a slow lap of honour at Edgbaston after their victory.

Waugh said: "It was an excellent team effort...but I still think we can improve.

"It shows Warne is still a great bowler, even if some people have written him off."

Hussain added: "They're a fine side and they completely outplayed us. You could have given the man-of-the match award to almost any of their players."

The collapse began after Hussain, in his first game back for England following a previous hand injury, was struck on the left hand by Jason Gillespie, the delivery fracturing his little finger and ruling him out of the rest of the match.

Pace bowler Gillespie then removed Alec Stewart (5), Usman Afzaal (2) and all-rounder Craig White (0) for four runs in 15 balls.

Leg-spinner Shane Warne dismissed top-scorer Marcus Trescothick for 76, caught at first slip by Mark Waugh, and Darren Gough lbw for a golden duck, only for Andrew Caddick to survive the hat-trick ball.

Warne, however, sealed the game with his eighth wicket of the match, his five for 71 in the first innings followed by three for 29 in the second.

Australia set up the win thanks to centuries from captain Steve Waugh, Damien Martyn and Adam Gilchrist, whose scintillating 152 came off 143 deliveries and earned him the man-of-the-match award.

Hussain broke his right thumb in the first Test against Pakistan in May. He was also sidelined by hand injuries in 1999 and 2000. He will see a specialist on Monday.

The second of the five-Test series begins on July 19 at Lord's.

England have now lost their last eight games -- two Tests and six one-dayers.

Detailed Scorecard

Mail Cricket Editor