SYDNEY, Jan. 4 (UPI) -- England faces a 5-0 whitewash in the Ashes cricket series against Australia after the third day of the final Test in Sydney.
At stumps, after yet another batting collapse, England were 5 for 114, a slender lead of 12 runs.
Earlier in the day, the visitors had given their fans a glimmer of hope when the Aussies stumbled and were 6/260 in reply to England's 291.
But bowling star Shane Warne and wicket-keeper Adam Gilchrist set about the weary England attack. Warne ended up top score with 71 while Gilchrist made 62.
Fast bowler Stuart Clark chipped in with 35 and Australia were all out for 393.
England's second innings' agony began in the third over when opener Alistair Cook was caught behind off Brett Lee for 4. Others followed: Andrew Strauss (24), Ian Bell (28) and Paul Collingwood (17).
The visitors agony continued when skipper Andrew Flintoff was stumped when playing forward to Warne for 7.
The day ended with Kevin Pietersen (29 not out) and Monty Panesar (still to score) facing the near impossible task of building a healthy score Friday before Australia bats again.
