English media delight in Australia's defeat

England's first Ashes triumph over Australia for almost two decades triggered widespread celebrations in the British media yesterday.

"On top of the world" ran one headline while another, in the Daily Telegraph, read "A glorious end to England's summer".

"Cricket's coming home," declared the Times in a reference to the Ashes being regained by England after Australia's record eight series victories in a row before Monday.

England, who lost the opening test at Lord's by 229 runs before clinching the series 2-1 after drawing the fifth and final match at The Oval, last won the Ashes in 1986-87.

"After 16 years in which the national cricket team have touched the most abysmal depths of incompetence, England have risen dizzily, proudly and at times rather uncertainly to the loftiest peak their sport can offer," reported the Times.

"After 16 years, a phoenix takes wing from the ashes of defeatism."

The Guardian spoke of England's "phenomenal summer" and Kevin Pietersen's "astounding maiden test century" which brought him the man-of-the-match award.

South Africa-born Pietersen brushed off three dropped catches to score a magnificent 158 and ensure England a draw on the last day of the weather-affected series decider at The Oval.

However, the Guardian also said: "There has been no greater champion this summer than (Australia leg spinner Shane) Warne and yesterday he added a further six wickets to the half-dozen he took in the first innings.

"(Australia fast bowler Glenn) McGrath will not be back but of Warne one should never say never, he is that astounding."

Warne, one of the game's greats and who became the first man to pass 600 test wickets earlier in the series, mopped up the England tail on Monday to take his series tally to 40 at 19.92 apiece.