England were dismissed for 223 in their second innings as Australia sealed victory by an innings and 48 runs.

Yet more injury was added to insult for the tourists in the final session on the third day as Alex Tudor was struck on the head by a fearsome short ball by Brett Lee which went between the peak and grille of his helmet.

He was taken off on a stretcher dripping blood after a lengthy delay for treatment on the field.

When Jason Gillespie clean-bowled Stephen Harmison for four soon afterwards, Chris Silverwood's injury meant England had no-one left to partner Alec Stewart at the crease and they were forced to concede defeat.

England's chances of at least making Australia bat again were all but ended when Nasser Hussain fell in controversial fashion after tea.

Hussain was on 61 when he was judged to have edged a Shane Warne delivery through to Adam Gilchrist.

He was given out immediately by umpire Rudi Koertzen to leave England struggling on 169 for six.

Once back in the pavilion he could be seen putting his viewpoint to England coach Duncan Fletcher, and he repeatedly kicked a set of crutches in sheer frustration.

Stewart top-scored with a fluent 66, but Craig White (15) was guilty of a woeful swish and miss at a Warne delivery, with Gilchrist whipping off the bails.

The day had started with three wickets falling for the addition of just one run to the overnight score of 33 for one.

England's resistance had lasted only 12 deliveries before nightwatchman Richard Dawson drove Gillespie straight to Steve Waugh at point, then Michael Vaughan was run out for nine after a horrendous mix-up with Mark Butcher.

Butcher himself went next ball, trapped lbw by Glenn McGrath, before Hussain's determined innings, but his dismissal signalled the end of England's Ashes hopes.

Damien Martyn was named man of the match for his 71 in Australia's first innings.