England win the Ashes

Many observers regard the series as the greatest ever played and underlines the improvement English cricket has shown over the past few years.

Vocabulary:

a close and enthralling finish : a tight and exciting end

grounds have been packed: lots of people have watched the matches

with the result in the balance: unclear which team would win

every available vantage point was occupied: all good viewing spots were taken

spectators perched precariously: people watched the game from quite dangerous places

to hold the advantage: to be in a stronger position

brutal innings: very strong batting performance

century: one hundred runs

swung the game to a position where England couldn't lose: changed the balance of the game so that England would definitely win