Monitor: All the News of the World - British and Australian comment on the English team's Test victory

IN MELBOURNE, some were hailing England's triumph as a miracle. That seems to us something of a slight on the magnificent performance of the Kent fast bowler Dean Headley. With the fifth Test still to start in Sydney this weekend, England could yet draw the series and return with their heads held high. We will be keeping our fingers crossed, and in the meanwhile we salute them.

The Daily Telegraph, UK

IS CHOKING within sight of victory a peculiarly Australian weakness, as many people have suggested since Australia again fell short of a modest fourth-innings target on Tuesday? The issue is a sensitive one, for it reflects not on the Australians' skill, but on personal qualities such as resoluteness, competitiveness and the ability to keep one's nerve in a tight situation.

Sydney Morning Herald,

Australia

THE AUSSIES self-destructed with the professional stupidity England have displayed all winter. But they did so because England applied pressure, pressure, pressure. Even the best side in the world can crumble when under the hammer. What a shame England have squeezed the enemy only when it is almost too late.

The Sun, UK

TO SEE this beleaguered team play with such spirit did the heart a power of good. Some said the Ashes were no longer worth the fuss. England made a nonsense of such notions with this forthright display. Sydney had seemed to be a damp squib. But the series resumes with a revived touring party determined to square the account. It should be another cracking contest between these ancient rivals.

The Age, Australia

Having been dismissed so often the players will savour the moment that they turned the tables. They will wallow in their transformation from no-hopers to national heroes. We may continue to ruminate in melancholy terms about the state of English cricket. For the moment it should be enough to congratulate them on their win and thank them them for providing a little piece of August in late December.

The Times, UK