Australia takes 4-0 Ashes lead

A Chris Rogers century has led Australia to victory in the fourth Ashes Test, with one day and eight wickets to spare.

Shane Watson and Michael Clarke embrace after sealing the win. Source: Getty Images

MICHAEL Clarke has primed Australia for a 5-0 whitewash in Sydney after another emphatic victory over England.

"We're going to have a go, that's for sure," Clarke said once Australia won the fourth Test at the MCG by eight wickets with a day and a half to spare thanks to a Chris Rogers century (116).

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A series of dropped catches and obscure tactics from England skipper Alastair Cook on Day Four of the Fourth Test has raised questions over just how well he is coping with the pressure of leading an underperforming touring side in Australia.

Taking a 4-0 series lead lifts Australia from fifth to third on the world rankings, jumping Pakistan and England, which led the table just 16 months ago.

Only months after losing the Ashes series in England to go nine Tests in a row without a victory Australia now stands on the verge of history.

Just Ricky Ponting's 2006-07 champions and Warwick Armstrong's 1920-21 team have achieved a 5-0 clean sweep of the old enemy.

Clarke has been blown away by the remarkable turnaround in his team's fortunes.

"To be 4-0 up is hard to describe. It's an amazing feeling." he said.

Chris Rogers celebrates after reaching his century. Picture: Colleen Petch. Source: News Limited

"Our goal is to win 5-0 given the position we're in."

The only question now is which team Australia will take into the Sydney Test, which begins on Friday.

Coach Darren Lehmann confirmed that Ryan Harris (knee) and Shane Watson (groin) were both in doubt for Sydney. Harris has a five-day break with the match finishing more than a day early and him last bowled on Saturday.

There were opposing attitudes in the press conferences held by Alastair Cook and Michael Clarke, with the England captain conceding he could be replaced as leader for the final Ashes Test.

"At the end of the day he's a valuable bowler for us, so we won't take any risks. But again, if he's fit and he can get through and do a job for his captain he'll play," Lehmann said

Watson appeared largely untroubled on Sunday, scoring an unbeaten 83 but Lehmann claimed the all-rounder must be able to bowl in Sydney.

Given he is coming off a century in Perth there may be an argument that Watson could play as a batsman, with George Bailey making way for all-rounder James Faulkner and inform wicket-keeper Brad Haddin moving to number six.

Former Australian opener Phil Jaques says the assertive batting of Chris Rogers, Shane Watson and David Warner has been the key to reaching 1/143 at lunch on Day Four.

However Lehmann, who is also a selector, was firm on where he stood with Watson.

"He's an all-rounder who has to bowl," the coach said.

Doug Bollinger and Nathan Coulter-Nile remain on standby for Harris.

If Australia does end up picking the same team again for the fifth Test in a row it will be the first time in a series since the 1989 Ashes, another imposing and unexpected success story.

Sunday was just the fourth time that Australia has successfully chased more than 200 batting last at the MCG and the first time in 53 years.

Chris Rogers has described his century which helped Australia to a 4-0 Ashes series lead as what dreams are made of.

Clarke claimed victory in this Test had an extra dimension because Australia was well behind on the first innings and at one stage England was 116 ahead with all 10 second innings wickets in hand.

"For the first time in this series we found ourselves behind in the game and over the last couple of days we've been able to turn that around and win convincingly today so I think the boys deserve a lot of credit," said Clarke.

After playing to near-full houses around the country more than 38,000 turned up at the MCG on Sunday, taking the four-day total to almost 272,000.

Re-live the action in our live blog below, featuring videos, analysis and reaction from the ground and around the world via social media. Join the conversation by commenting at the top of the blog, or contact us on Twitter @FoxCricketLive.

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