British PM praises England

London - British Prime Minister David Cameron congratulated the England cricket team for their "brilliant performance" after they crushed Australia in the fourth Test on Wednesday to retain the Ashes.

"Congratulations to the England team and captain Andrew Strauss on a brilliant performance Down Under," said Cameron in a statement from his office.

"Retaining The Ashes for the first time in almost a quarter of a century marks a very special end to the year for sports fans and a great late Christmas present for the country.

"I look forward to welcoming them to Downing Street when they return."

England scored an emphatic innings and 157-run victory over Australia in the fourth Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.