Australia cruised to a 2-0 lead in the Ashes series on Sunday after crushing England by an innings and 51 runs in the second Test at the Adelaide Oval.

Australia endured three rain delays to win before the halfway mark of the fourth day, dismissing England for 159 in its second innings.

It was an abrupt end for England, losing 4-4 before the players left the field at 9-134 because of rain.

The victory followed Australia's 384-run win in the first Test, leaving them on track to wrap up the five-match series in the third game which begins in Perth on Friday.

Glenn McGrath (4-41), Shane Warne (3-36) and Andrew Bichel (2-31) claimed the wickets today as England never regained its balance after resuming at 3-36.

Bichel had Robert Key (one) caught in the third over of the day and not even the resistance of veteran Alec Stewart (57) and opener Michael Vaughan (41) could help the tourists avoid an innings loss.

Vaughan fell to an outstanding outfield catch by Glenn McGrath at deep mid-wicket from the bowling of Warne, ending England's remote hopes of setting Australia a run chase.

McGrath was airborne and at full stretch when he intercepted Vaughan's skied sweep shot, ending a 74-run stand with Stewart.

Warne also claimed Stewart, who became just the 12th batsman to pass 8000 career Test runs during his 101-ball knock.

McGrath then passed Wasim Akram and moved into sixth place on Test cricket's all-time wicket-taking list when he bowled Matthew Hoggard for one.

McGrath finished the Test with 416 career victims and Richard Hadlee (431) and Kapil Dev (434) loom as his next targets.

© 2002 AAP

This report does not necessarily represent the views of the Australian Cricket Board.