Australia complete dramatic victory

ADELAIDE, Dec 5 (Reuters) Australia beat England by six wickets with 19 balls to spare on an extraordinary final day to win the second test and take a 2-0 lead in the Ashes series today.

England set Australia a victory target of 168 off 36 overs after their batting inexplicably crumbled, losing their last nine wickets for 60 runs to be all out for just 129.

Australia lost Justin Langer (7), Matthew Hayden (18), Ricky Ponting (49) and Damien Martyn (5) during their run-chase before Mike Hussey (61 not out) and Michael Clarke (21 not out) steered them to victory.

Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne was the architect of England's collapse, capturing four for 49 off 32 overs. Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee captured two wickets each.

England hold the Ashes after beating Australia 2-1 at home last year but need to win at least two of the three remaining tests to retain the urn.

The third test of the series starts in Perth on Dec. 14 with the fourth match in Melbourne and the last in Sydney.

REUTERS PM PM1406